Greenpeace has sets its sights on HP, a faction of its members picketing the company’s corporate offices with signs reading “Lobby for Law” painted on their bodies. The members are trying to get HP to shed its business-only take-back programme and instead offer recycling options to all consumers. Greenpeace also wants HP to use its considerable weight to lobby for e-waste legislation in India. India is one of the countries still struggling with e-waste disposal and recycling issues.
“Why does it take HP so much time to start a pan-India takeback service for all its customers, given that it had now had two years’ of experiment and learning?” asked Abhishek Pratap, toxics campaigner, Greenpeace. “Is it because the company does not want e-waste legislation embracing IPR in India?”
According to a statement released by Greenpeace, HP’s take-back programme in India only applies to corporate customers, while individual users are left without options. According to the “Take-back Blues” study, HP’s corporate programme isn’t working well either. HP India claims the company will initiate a take-back scheme for individual users but not until it gains knowledge and experience from current recycling processes.
“It is imperative that HP, being the market leader in the computer segment in India leads the pack by calling for legislation and by lobbying within the electronics sector and the government to make e-waste legislation in India a reality,” said Pratap. “The brand must, without further delay, start voluntary, free take-back service for all its customers.”
For more information, visit: HP.com or Greenpeace.org.
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