LONDON, 21 April, 2008 – A survey conducted for HP amongst 1,200 decision makers across Europe(2) revealed that over half (52 per cent) of UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) had no environmental sustainability policy in place. However, a similar amount (54 per cent), said they would be more active in purchasing environmentally considerate printing products (including paper, ink and toner) in the next two years.
In recognition of the challenges that SMBs face in this area and the growing influence of environmental factors, HP today launched a free 'Guide to Greener Printing' which provides small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with practical advice on how to increase the efficiency of their printing and reduce environmental impact without compromising on quality or presentation.
"Many SMBs face commercial pressures, making it difficult for them to be as green as they would like," said Andrew Forsyth, Director of Supplies
Imaging and Printing Group UK&I. "Straightforward practical advice is what SMBs here in the UK are really looking for, so HP has launched this guide to help those companies already thinking about the environment and encourage those who haven't considered this element of their business to do so. The focus is on increasing printing efficiency, reducing waste and using less energy."
The biggest incentive for UK SMBs to take greater account of environmental considerations when purchasing a printing system would be competitive pricing for products with environmental features, with 60 per cent saying that would make a difference. The survey also revealed there is increasing awareness of various energy rating programmes, such as the Energy Star, with just under half of UK SMBs (42 per cent) recognising at least one of the rating programmes.
Forsyth continued: "There are a number of ways HP can help SMBs with small changes that can make a big difference. For example, our new printers tend to use less energy than their predecessors. We have also recently introduced recycled plastic into our inkjet printer cartridges. These kinds of product innovations, along with the practical advice found in our guide, offer SMB customers clear, tangible steps to helping them reduce their environmental impact."
Anyone interested in printing more efficiently can get their free copy of the guide to greener printing by visiting www.hp.com/uk/greenerprinting.
HP and the environment
For decades HP has worked to manage its environmental impact by adopting environmentally responsible practices in product development, operations and supply chain. The company strives to be a global leader in reducing its carbon footprint, limiting waste and recycling responsibly. More information about the company's environmental programmes is available at www.hp.com/uk/environment.
About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers – from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totalling $107.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.