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April 23, 2020
On April 16, 2020, UL announced that HP, the world's leading provider of personal computers, printers and 3D printing solutions, has won UL's world's first verification of marine recycled plastic content. This time, HP passed the verification of 5 kinds of resins from marine recycling. After UL verification, these resins contain 5% - 99% of marine recycling plastics.
UL issues the world's first verification of marine recycled plastic content to HP
Marine plastic generally refers to waste plastic found within 50 km of the coastline (or river). As a volume leader in the use of marine plastics in products, HP is committed to the innovation and use of sustainable materials, while creating jobs in poor areas. HP is looking for a solution to verify the amount of marine recycled plastic in the resin it uses, and hopes to assess the social impact of the initiative.
HP worked with UL to review suppliers to identify safe labor practices and risk mitigation measures for Haitian recycled material collectors and to add these Provisions to the recently updated version 5 of UL 2809.
Ul2809 is a special standard to verify the content of recycled materials in products. The fifth version of UL 2809 standard adds the content certification of marine recycled plastic content, and adds the assessment of the impact of pre consumption / post consumption recycled materials collection on local economy and society in this chapter.
HP has used more than 1 million pounds of marine plastic and about 35 million plastic bottles in its products. HP initially partnered with first mile coalition to produce HP original ink cartridges from marine plastic bottles and expanded its use of marine plastic in its portfolio. HP's proven marine resin is also used in HP elite Dragonfly (the world's first personal computer using marine plastics), HP elite display e273d (the world's first display made of marine plastics), hpzbook studio and zbook create (the world's first mobile workstation using marine plastics).
The verification of UL environmental statement further enhanced HP's sense of social responsibility in using marine plastics. HP's marine plastics program also creates new opportunities for the economic development and education of local communities. In Haiti, HP's partnership with the first mile coalition created more than 1100 jobs for adults in the country and provided quality education, food and medical assistance to 150 children.
HP will continue to expand the use of marine plastics, promising to use marine plastics for all new HP elite and HP Pro desktop laptops launched in 2020. HP also invested $2 million to set up a cleaning line in Haiti, where it will produce cleaner, higher quality recycled plastics for more HP products. This investment continues HP's long-standing commitment to transfer marine plastics, promote a low-carbon circular economy, and provide local employment and education opportunities.
Alberto uggetti, vice president and general manager of UL's environment and sustainable development department, said: "we are honored to work with HP to include corporate social responsibility when considering how to assess the content of marine plastics in recycled materials. Reducing plastics in the ocean and water is good for the environment and human beings. This empowers local communities and sets standards for other consumer goods companies. HP's decision to verify recycled content demonstrates their commitment to recycling, social responsibility and a more sustainable economy. "
Ellen Jackowski, global head of sustainability strategy and innovation at HP, said: "HP believes that things that are good for the environment are good for businesses and society. We are aware of the importance of third party certification in bringing recycled content statements to market.
UL's recycled content validation helps ensure that we are making a reliable and transparent transition to a recycling economy while creating a positive social impact for plastic recyclers. HP is helping solve some of the most pressing global problems by reengineering its supply chain to speed up its sustainability related strategy. "
"When we launched the nextwave plastics project in 2017, we knew that when leading companies like Hewlett Packard built value from more than 8 million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, it was time to set standards for the recycling of marine plastics," said dune ives, executive director of lonely whale, the convener of nextwave plastics. When consumers buy products containing marine plastics, they should rest assured that they have fulfilled their commitments to the environment and society. We look forward to further cooperation between nextwave plastics members and UL to develop the most complete standards and processes so that all of us can put plastic in the economy and away from the ocean. "
(source: Chinanet)