Shifting Markets Using Ocean-bound Plastics

In the latest episode of our NothingWasted! Podcast, we chat with Ellen Jackowski, global head of sustainability strategy and innovation at HP. She drives HP’s sustainable impact strategy and programs that focus on the planet, people and the communities that HP serves.

We spoke with Jackowski about creating sustainable supply chains, mindful product innovation, setting goals and more.

Here’s a glimpse into our chat:

Waste360: Can you tell us more about HP’s Elite Dragonfly, the world’s first notebook made with ocean-bound plastic?

Ellen Jackowski: We could not be prouder of this product. HP’s been on a mission for quite some time to continue to increase the sustainability benefits of every single product we make—and the Dragonfly is another step in our mission to create the world’s most sustainable products. The Dragonfly is the third product we’ve launched that contains ocean-bound plastic, and there are other sustainability elements built in, including the packaging itself.

Waste360: Could you describe HP’s recycling model in Haiti?

Ellen Jackowski: HP’s ink cartridges are one of the leading closed loop recycling products on the market. We’ve used more than a million PET bottles; we recycle those bottles and use that plastic in our ink cartridges. And we started thinking about how we could have more impact. We were introduced to a recycler in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with no municipal garbage collection. So, a lot of PET bottles end up on the ground and are not collected there, blowing into canals and out into the ocean. It was an opportunity for us to think about sourcing those bottles from Haiti, to create a market for that waste and also help stem the ocean plastics problem.

Related:Behind the Scenes of HP’s Tennessee Recycling Operations

Waste360: What advice would you give to other companies interested in using ocean-bound plastic in their products?

Ellen Jackowski: I think the innovation for this material is only just beginning. But it’s important to think about it in the context of your entire plastic strategy. It’s not just about using ocean-bound plastic; it’s also about eliminating the use of plastic. And how can we use alternative materials? There are only certain types of plastic found en masse in the oceans, so it’s important to think about where those types can be used. And you just have to be really thoughtful.

Listen to the full interview with Jackowski below and more episodes here. Read transcript here.