HP Electronic Trade-In Program Expanded

Hewlett Packard (HP) aims to tackle the growing problem of electronic waste with a new consumer trade-in and recycling program. The HP Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program allows consumers to earn cash back for their unwanted electronics, which will then be refurbished for future use or recycled.

Over 1.5 billion pounds of e-waste was generated in 2006.

The program allows consumers to send in:

• PC’s
• Monitors
• Printers
• Digital Cameras
• PDA’s
• Smartphones

“As part of the HP Eco Solutions program, we offer practical solutions that make it easy for customers to go green,” said Tony Prophet, VP of Worldwide Supply Chain Operations for HP. “The HP Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program is yet another example of HP’s longtime commitment to reducing environmental impact by providing a convenient way for customers to responsibly recycle electronics.”

HP recycled an estimated 250 million pounds of technology equipment in 2007, a 50 percent increase from 2006. They aim to recycle two billion pounds of electronics by 2010.

E-Cycling as Easy as 1-2-3

To participate in the program, follow these simple steps:

1. Visit www.hp.com/go/ConsumerBuyback and enter the required product information.
2. If the product has value, receive an instant buyback quote.
3. Box up the product, applying the shipping label provided by HP, and drop it off at a local UPS location. Your check will arrive in the mail!

If the product does not have residual value, it can still be mailed in for recycling. Simply box up the product, apply the shipping label and drop it at a UPS location.

The Problem With E-Waste

In 2006 alone, an estimated 1.5 billion pounds of e-waste was generated. Though e-waste only accounts for one to four percent of municipal waste, it may be responsible for up to 70 percent of heavy metals found in landfills.

Luckily, e-cycling is on the rise. The U.S. EPA reports a 30 percent increase in electronics recycling as a result of its Plug-In to eCycling program.