du partners HP to reduce technology waste in the UAE

In-line with its Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to make the environment a better place to live in, du announced an environmental program to partner with HP Middle East today, titled “HP Planet Partners Program”, this initiative, which has been integrated into every du office, is intended to reduce technology waste in the Emirate by recycling toner cartridges, used in printers and photocopy machines.
Hala Badri, Executive Vice President – Brand and Communications, du, said: “Even as we grow as a company, we need to be sensitive to ensure the reduction in our ecological footprint. What makes the initiative with HP special is that it will play a major role in reducing technology waste in the UAE and we believe this campaign will raise awareness about the environmentally sensitive issues and become an example for others to follow.”
The “HP Planet Partners Program” provides a free, easy, state-of-the-art return and recycling service for original HP printer toner cartridges. Recycled plastic from collected cartridges will be used to produce new original HP cartridges as well as other products.
“We are happy to have du on board in our most important environmental initiative aimed at saving the planet from technology waste,” said Amin Mortazavi, General Manager for HP Middle East Imaging and Printing Group.
“HP was the first computer manufacturer to operate its own recycling centre in 1997, and it is estimated that 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions were avoided through HP’s recycling activities in 2008 alone. To date, HP has recycled over 2 billion pounds (lbs) of electronic products and supplies” Amin Mortazavi said.
du will involve  its employees to be part of this initiative. du is an advocate of environment related initiatives and recently participated in Earth Hour 2011; it has also won a series of sustainability-related awards. These include recognition for its participation in the Dubai Municipality ‘Clean up the world’ campaign, and being ranked first under two categories of the Emirates Environment Group’s (EEG) recycling campaign held in 2010.