The 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance Announces Agreement With Hp To Convert Packaging Of Inkjet Print Cartridges To 100% Recycled Paperboard

The The 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance announced an agreement with Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) under which HP will use 100% recycled paperboard for new inkjet print cartridge packaging in North America. HP became the sixty-eighth company to sign an agreement, joining recent licensees FedEx, Searle, Procter & Gamble and Kellogg's Company. RPA-100% is a group of companies that are dedicated to helping consumers close the loop on their recycling activities by "buying recycled."

In honor of HP's conversion to using 100% recycled paperboard, RPA-100% will donate $1,000 in the company's name to The Boomer Esiason Foundation for cystic fibrosis research. Esiason, a former NFL quarterback and advocate for RPA-100%, established the nonprofit organization in 1993 after learning that his young son was afflicted with the fatal genetic disorder. "I want to be able to stand up there and say we cured this thing. That would be the ultimate goal," said Esiason. The 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance and its partners are committed to helping him reach that goal, as he has been committed to helping the group reach theirs.

"HP's environmental goals are to provide products and services that are environmentally sound throughout their lifecycles," said Helen Higgins, worldwide environmental manager for HP's inkjet supplies division. "Our intent is to reduce environmental impact as we produce high-quality inkjet supplies.

According to HP, the company's new product design processes aim to balance technological innovation, enhanced performance and environmental responsibility. HP strives to limit the amount of packaging used for its inkjet cartridges needed to fulfill functional requirements. To reduce solid waste further, HP suggests that its suppliers consider reusable packaging and recycled packaging materials.

"We appreciate the commitment that HP has demonstrated with its use of 100% recycled paperboard and by showcasing the 100% Recycled Paperboard symbol on its inkjet print cartridge packaging," said Russell M. Currey, chairman of the RPA-100% Marketing Committee. "Together, we recognize that environmental responsibility is good business. Customers want to know about a company's environmental choice."

Introduced in 1995, the updated 100% Recycled Paperboard symbol has become increasingly popular with packaged goods companies and consumers. Recent nationwide opinion surveys demonstrate that 87% of consumers would like to see the new symbol on products packaged in 100% recycled paperboard.