I'm sharing an email I sent to Hewlett-Packard asking them to reduce the plastic they use in their packaging. I'm not picking on HP because they are the worst offender. But this seems as good an example of egregiously wasteful packaging as any. (see photo link below)
If you would like to join this effort, you can copy and paste the following email into your email editor and send it. If you see other examples of wasteful packaging that you think should be added to this campaign, please send them to the email address on my home diary page.
Send to: pamela.bonney@hp.com
Subject Line: Campaign to Reduce Wasteful Packaging
Pamela Bonney, Director
Public Affairs and Environment
Hewlett-Packard
Dear Ms. Bonney,
I am writing to request that Hewlett-Packard reduce the amount of wasteful packaging used to house its ink cartridges. You can view a photograph that illustrates such waste here. I realize that packaging is used for advertising products and that large packages draw more attention to the product. I also understand that HP has taken significant steps toward reducing its impact on the environment by reducing its packaging in the past, offering to recycle used ink cartridges, using recyclable PET plastic containers, and using 30% post consumer recycled paper for packaging.
Nevertheless, as you know, many authorities on climate science have warned that allowing the worldwide climate to rise above pre-industrial levels by 2 degrees centigrade or more would lead to disastrous consequences. They have also estimated that in order to avoid those consequences, we need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% by 2050. Given the difficulty of that challenge and the consequences of failing to achieve it, I believe that consumers and companies must make significant changes in habit in order to reduce energy use.
According to the Pacific Institute, "The manufacture of every ton of PET produces around 3 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)." Moreover, excess packaging volume and weight greatly increase carbon emissions created from shipping products. I want HP and other companies to produce less plastic and reduce the weight and volume of their packaging. That is why I want HP to know that I will be purchasing products that do not stand out on the shelf - products that use less, not more. This is a simple step that I can take in order to preserve a healthy planet for future generations.
By substantially reducing wasteful packaging and publicizing the environmental benefit of this action, HP has an opportunity to take the lead on an issue that will eventually be widely recognized by the public as a matter of serious concern.
Thank you for giving this matter your attention.
Sincerely,
Your Name