Texas Campaign for the Environment: News

E-Scrap News, February 12, 2010 By E-Scrap News

HP refines e-waste export policy

Computer giant Hewlett-Packard today clarified its position of banning the exports of nonworking electronics to developing nations. Previously, HP's policy read:

All exports and imports of electronic waste handled by HP and its authorized vendors will comply with existing international waste trade agreements and legal requirements.

Now, the company's policy on e-waste export reads:

HP does not permit electronic waste to be exported from developed (member) countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union (EU) to developing (non-OECD/EU) countries, either directly or through intermediaries.

The company's previous requirements that no child or prison labor be used, and that "every reasonable effort will be made to control all electronic waste and prevent it from entering landfills or incinerators," are still in place.
Environmentalists applauded the move, with both the Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETBC) and the Basel Action Network (BAN) lauding the company for it policy clarification. "HP should be commended for this new policy, which goes beyond U.S. laws," said BAN Executive Director Jim Puckett.

Barbara Kyle, national coordinator for the ETBC, felt the company's policy on export should be adopted by the U.S. Congress. "We urge Congress to pass legislation modeled on HP's policy, that ensures that we aren't exporting our e-waste problem to other countries," said Kyle.