Ink supplies manufacturer HP is looking to improve its green credentials by encouraging users to make their printing operations more sustainable and recycle their old equipment.
In an article for PC Advisor, it was noted the firm is projecting there will be a 49 per cent increase in global energy consumption by 2035, with carbon emissions rising by 43 per cent, largely due to population growth of 1.8 billion people in Africa.
HP's Environmental Manager for the UK and Ireland Bruno Zago stated technology accounts for two per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, with more than half of this coming from PCs, monitors, printers and telephones.
It also highlighted the work it is doing to reduce the environmental impact of these items through its recycling programmes.
These include the HP Planet Partners system, which has been in operation since 1991 and cover 50 countries around the world, accounting for 90 per cent of global printer cartridge sales.
Customers are able to order free return postage envelopes in order to send their consumables to be reused, with more than 200,000 tonnes of inkjet and toner cartridges prevented from going to landfill as a result of the scheme.
In 2010 alone, 50 million inkjet cartridges were recycled around the world using under the initiative, in addition to 19 million LaserJet supplies, with a total weight of 21,000 tonnes.
As well as this, HP noted it has recovered 2.36 billion pounds of electronic products such as computers and printers since 1987, while the firm claimed its low-energy desktop and notebook machines saved users 1.4 billion kilowatts of energy in 2010.
The firm noted that, for example, its Compaq 8200 Elite Ultra Slim desktop consumes less energy than a 60-watt light bulb, while its compact design means it requires fewer resources to manufacture and it is easier to dispose of at the end of its life.
Recently, it was noted by David Bayon of PC Pro that many people do not realise the impact their printing activities can have on the environment and are not aware their supplies can be recycled.
About Stuart DeavallStuart Deavall is the Web & Digital Marketing Manager at CartridgeMonkey.com and is a big fan of gadgets and technology. Through the years, Stu followed a keen interest in art and creativity, and for the past 4 years has helped CartridgeMonkey.com become the UK's leading supplier of inkjet cartridges and toner cartridges.