HP's worldwide take back and recycling programs: lessons on improving program implementation

Hewlett-Packard's customer take back and recycling program is the most comprehensive printer cartridge and hardware return program of its competitors worldwide. HP's recycling program accepts hardware products from every computer/printer manufacturer, as well as HP-branded printer supplies. During development and implementation of these programs, HP's recycling group faced several logistical and regulatory barriers that made this process challenging. This paper addresses these issues from both a domestic and worldwide perspective. It concludes that electronics manufacturers and government agencies should work together to better provide customers with environmentally responsible take back and recycling programs. Standard procedures for implementing and managing worldwide product take back and recycling programs should be established to make implementation less inhibitive.