Hewlett-Packard is bracing itself for an international
Greenpeace protest at its California headquarters today (6
December), as it comes under increasing pressure from environmental
campaigners over its use of toxic chemicals in the production of
its PCs, printers and other kit.
HP has been singled out by Greenpeace for its use of toxic flame
retardants. The environmental campaign group wants HP to commit to
firm timelines for when it will end their use in production.
In a Greenpeace report last month HP was singled out by the
group for allegedly talking green but not doing enough to turn
words into deeds.
While HP was not the only PC manufacturer criticised in the
report for using flame retardants, Greenpeace said other
manufacturers had made better progress in ending their use.
HP has also been chosen for the protest because it is one of
biggest PC manufacturers.
The HP campaign is a concerted one by Greenpeace. In May the
group dumped a truckload of waste at HP’s Geneva offices, and last
year it blocked the entrance to HP’s Dutch offices in Utrecht.
HP says it provides more recycling solutions globally than any
other IT company and its goal is to exceed the European Union’s
Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance obligations by
meeting the requirements on a worldwide basis.