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If we’ve said it once, we’ve said it a thousand times: Sustainability has become a top priority for companies everywhere. With that in mind, overcoming the environmental obstacles in print requires collective action from every stakeholder in the industry.
We were briefed by HP’s Chief Sustainability Officer James McCall and Global Head of Social Impact Michele Malejki to learn more about the company’s sustainability impact strategy and holistic approach to matters surrounding their three pillars (i.e., climate change, human rights, and digital equity) in not only print, but across a gamut of technology products.
Amplify Impact and the “Go Beyond” Paradigm
HP’s “Go Beyond” philosophy, in tandem with its Amplify Impact program, aims to change how businesses approach printing by offering a solution that combines hardware, services, and sustainable practices. Amplify Impact focuses on reducing HP’s own environmental footprint by driving a circular and low-carbon economy, while providing resources to channel partners so they may better facilitate their own sustainability efforts and goals. By leveraging HP’s analytics and remote management capabilities, partners can gain insight into their printing habits to help identify areas of improvement and implement strategies to lessen waste production and optimize resource consumption—an approach that aligns proactively with the fundamentals of the circular economy that the print industry is moving towards.
HP has gone as far as to develop a recognition program that honors channel partners and their contributions in driving positive environmental change called the Amplify Impact Awards, the winners of which were announced in March. The awards not only celebrate achievements by partners in areas like circularity, carbon reduction, and community engagement, but also help provide them with increased visibility, showcasing their efforts and inspiring others in the industry to follow suit.
HP LIFE: Empowerment Through Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Recognizing the importance of education and skill-building in promoting a sustainable future, HP has introduced a global learning initiative called HP LIFE that provides free online training in business and IT skills to people in underserved communities. The aim of the program is to empower individuals to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in today’s digital economy—fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. By 2025, HP aims to help 1 million people through the HP LIFE program, contributing to building a more sustainable and inclusive society.
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
The idea of digging deeper than traditional printing practices and embracing sustainability is not exclusive to HP. We’re seeing other major players in the market create programs to provide businesses with sustainable solutions and improve overall environmental performance. Canon, for one, has its "Green Procurement" program that focuses on environmentally friendly procurement practices by working closely with suppliers to ensure the use of sustainable materials and processes to minimize the environmental impact of its products throughout their lifecycles. Other environmental initiatives from Epson (Environmental Vision 2050), Xerox (Green World Alliance), and Brother (Brother Earth) all demonstrate the direction OEMs are moving towards: a more sustainable future. As businesses increasingly prioritize sustainability, OEMs continue to play a vital role in providing the necessary tools, services, and guidance to help companies, partners, and consumers go beyond print and build more sustainable practices.
Environmentalism is not a solitary pursuit, and HP clearly recognizes the goal of a sustainable future as a journey rather than just a destination. There is a cultural understanding within the organization that emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement, transparency, and a sense of shared responsibility in addressing environmental challenges, which is the kind of tone we’re seeing take shape across the industry. In sharing its sustainability goals, progress, and challenges in its annual Sustainability Impact Report, HP is working to encourage stakeholders in every business area to come along for the ride.
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