Posts: 40
Threads: 3
Joined: Jul 2008
I'm afraid Greenpeace isn't exactly dependable as a source of information.
I just remember the inordinate quantities of carton boxes HP uses to ship anything. At least in my experience, any slightly complex system will be delivered as countless indivudual boxes. Each power cable in a box, each hard drive in a box...
Even _LICENSE CERTIFICATES IN A PADDED BOX, ONE SHEET OF PAPER FOR EACH BOX_.
I've really witnessed it, and I think there are published photos somewhere. The Register, maybe.
Perhaps they have changed, I haven't bought such stuff from HP in two years or so. But, consider them a green company...
Posts: 302
Threads: 34
Joined: Aug 2007
From my experience in the chemical industry, going green is generally motivated simply by complying with the most restrictive state and federal regulations... Almost entirely for the purpose of maintaining competitive presence in all markets. Much of the time it does improve material costs and gives a nice bottom line. From a PR perspective, offering a "green" product line is a great marketing scheme. As far as I'm concerned, regardless of your anyone's personal views about the environment I think most of us can agree that reducing waste and improving efficiency are good things.
My long term concern is the movement by a few ultra environmentally conscious to begin requiring full disclosure of product composition. In other words "you can trust us to keep your trade secrets safe." In my line of work, it's hard enough already to trust partners in certain southeast Asian countries with anything remotely resembling formulation data. One would think we were guarding the Colonel's list of secret herbs and spices with the lengths we go to.
Overall, the end result is a good thing. But at the end of the day, 99% of green manufacturing is the result of adaptation to the current political climate in order to survive and compete.