 |
 |
 |
| |
|
|
HP Responds To Greenpeace's Concerns
 |
|
| |
HP has responded to issues raised by Greenpeace over its recycling policy in India.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wednesday, September 17, 2008:
Greenpeace recently raised issues over HP's approach towards recycling in India. HP showed concern towards the report published in EFYtimes and tried to clear some doubts. We spoke to Greenpeace India to understand their concern. Then we took those questions to HP and got responses from P. Ravindranath, director, public affairs, HP India, on the concerns raised by Greenpeace India.
|
|
ET: Why does HP not have a take-back service for its individual customers when smaller brands like HCL, Wipro and Acer offer the same? HP is the market leader and presumably has more individual customers than any other brand.
Ravindranath: HP’s Planet Partners Recycling Program, currently available to enterprise and commercial customers, has been launched in India as a phased initiative. In the final phase of the programme, which is expected to be launched by 2009, HP expects to be able to offer take-back service to consumers as well.
For printer supplies, the take-back programme is available to consumers where certain drop-off points have been identified for customers to deposit their end of life supplies.
ET: Why does HP give more importance to its corporate customers as compared to its individual customers? Is it because of business imperative?
Ravindranath: HP is rolling out its Planet Partners Recycling Program in a phased manner. The first phase was aimed at covering enterprise customers; the programme will be offered to consumers in the final phase of the programme.
ET: Why is HP so insistent on 'learning the system' before announcing the take-back service for individual customers when this is not the case when it announces the take-back service in other countries like the US? How much time does it take for a company like HP to learn things in India given the fact that they can simply follow the models put in practice by HCL, Nokia or Wipro?
Ravindranath: Ramping up return volumes on HP’s product take-back programme for enterprise customers remains a challenge, and the company is currently focussed on addressing it. HP believes that it is the right first priority for the company to work on. Further, HP has always maintained that it will expand the take-back programme to the consumer market in the next phase. The details of the expansion are being worked on and once finalised, they will be communicated to HP’s consumer customers and other stakeholders.
ET: What is HP’s plan on creating infrastructure for end-to-end recycling in India? What is its stand on informal recycling sector? Does it want to eliminate informal sector or like to mainstream it? And if yes, then how?
Ravindranath: HP has a robust structure in place for the take-back of its enterprise customers in India. HP also has a structured internal programme to recycle its own personal productivity equipment. HP would like consumers of its hardware to follow environmentally safe practices ensuring safe e-waste management; the company is providing the necessary support to all stakeholders involved in building the ecosystem.
ET: HP globally supports IPR concept and is also reportedly involved in lobbying for Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) in Europe and the US. Then what is preventing the brand from coming out publicly in support of the legislation here in India?
Ravindranath: HP supports the concept of Individual Producer Responsibility (IPR) in India as well. The company’s position is clearly stated on its external website. Click here to check.
ET: Is it fair that HP hides behind informal sector and imports to oppose e-waste legislation in India when only 50,000 tons of e-waste comes to India from import and brands are themselves responsible for thriving informal sector by selling them e-waste?
Ravindranath: On the contrary, HP is actively working with multiple stakeholders to evolve guidelines for responsible e-waste management in the country.
ET: In April 2008, HP reportedly wrote a letter to all electronic brands not to support e-waste legislation in India? What prompted such letter, which in a way contradicts HP’s own global public position on legislation?
Ravindranath: HP has and will continue to remain engaged with all stakeholders in the e-waste ecosystem to evolve guidelines for responsible and safe e-waste management.
ET: What are the steps HP has taken to aware customers on their responsibility on sound e-waste management in India? What efforts has HP made till now in this regard and what has the company achieved till now?
Ravindranath: HP has had a PTB programme in place since 2003 in the country; this was revamped and re-launched in July 2008. The programme has been promoted widely through public forums. Further, HP’s sales and marketing infrastructure is being leveraged to create awareness around e-waste management amongst customers.
Swapnil Bhartiya, assistant editor, EFYTimes
Swapnil Bhartiya, EFYTIMES News Network
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FREE NEWSLETTER
Receive the latest reviews, how-to's, news & more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Eyeing The Indian Pie! |
| With the Indian hardware market growing firm, EVOC Group plans to cater to its demands by providing customised solutions through investments in R&D fa... |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology: The Match Winner! |
| Intencity, a Pune-based exclusive video game store, has expanded its business and boosted revenue by 40 per cent, using online store solutions.... |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|