HP claims it recycled more than 164 million pounds (74 million kilograms) of hardware and HP print cartridges globally in its 2006 FY.

This is an increase of 16 percent over the previous year and the equivalent weight of more than 600 jumbo jet airliners.

In addition, HP collected more than 2.5 million units of hardware globally – weighing more than 50 million pounds (22.6 million kilograms) – to be refurbished for resale or donated.

To date the company has recycled more than 920 million pounds (417 million kilograms) of hardware and HP print cartridges globally. This puts the company on track to surpass its goal of recycling 1 billion cumulative pounds (455 million kilograms) by the end of this year.

In Europe, the Middle East and Africa, HP recycled more than 84 million pounds (38 million kilograms) of hardware. In the Americas region, HP collected more than 42 million pounds (19 million kilograms) of hardware. A series of free consumer recycling events held throughout the United States between June and September recovered 1 million pounds (455,000 kilograms) alone. In the Asia Pacific region, HP nearly doubled the amount of hardware it recycled to almost 7 million pounds (3.2 million kilograms) by aligning its trade-in, refurbishing and recycling operations to provide full asset-recovery services for business customers in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.

In 2005, HP recovered for reuse and recycling more than 45 percent (164 million pounds or 74.5 million kilograms) of the total volume of hardware taken back by the top three PC vendors (HP, IBM, Dell) at the time.

HP is also increasing awareness of environmental responsibility by reaching out to the next generation of electronics recycling stewards with Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company. The two teamed to develop and distribute “Get in the Technology Loop!,” a supplemental education program designed to raise student awareness of environmental issues related to technology. The educational materials introduce students to the concept of the product lifecycle, environmental issues related to technology and the role that students and their families can play in environmental responsibility. “Get in the Technology Loop!” is expected to reach 12 million teachers and students in the United States in the coming months.