HP Helps Consumers Dispose of "e-Waste"

In light of new research that reveals U.S. consumers have little knowledge of electronic waste, or "e-waste," yet continue to stockpile it, HP (www.hp.com) today announced a discount of 50 percent off the cost of its online hardware recycling service for U.S. residents.

According to research by Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, which was conducted on behalf of HP, 95 percent of American consumers do not know the meaning of the term "e-waste," and 58 percent are not aware of an e-waste recycling program in their community.

"Our research found that while nearly three out of four consumers have used or unwanted technology products in their homes, they aren't sure how to dispose of it," said David Lear, vice president, Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility, HP.

Despite this widespread lack of understanding, 63 percent of American consumers believe e-waste is at least as important an environmental issue as air pollution, and 68 percent of consumers stockpile used or unwanted computer equipment in their homes.

Continuing its role as a leader in environmental sustainability, HP announced that it recycled more than 120 million pounds of used computer hardware and HP print cartridges globally in 2004. This brings HP's cumulative recycling total since 1987 to 616 million pounds - more than halfway toward meeting the company-wide goal to recycle 1 billion pounds by the end of 2007.

The HP Planet Partners program provides consumers and businesses around the world with access to a variety of hardware and HP print cartridge product disposal options, including recycling, donation and trade-in.

HP accepts any brand of computer-related hardware, such as desktop PCs, notebooks, monitors, ink and laser printers, PDAs and general networking equipment.