HP aspires to a world where our products and operations use materials and chemicals that cause no harm. We take a science-based approach to assessing the potential human health and environmental impacts of substances used in making HP products.


For more than two decades, we have worked to move the electronics industry toward safer alternatives to materials of concern. We assess published lists of substances of concern, customer preferences, new or upcoming legal requirements, and sound scientific analysis concerning potential impacts on human health or the environment. This approach also improves circularity by increasing the reusability and recyclability of our products.


The HP Materials and Chemical Management Policy guides our use of materials and chemicals in products, packaging, and manufacturing processes. This policy applies to all HP employees and businesses worldwide and extends to HP’s suppliers.


We developed our General Specification for the Environment (GSE) in 1998. It includes a full list, updated annually, of material restrictions for products, packaging, and manufacturing process chemicals, often going above and beyond worldwide regulatory requirements. HP is committed to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including requirements under the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) legislation.


Following a precautionary approach, we explore safer alternatives to materials currently in use, referencing A Framework to Guide Selection of Chemical Alternatives by the National Academy of Sciences and incorporating the GreenScreen® for Safer Chemicals methodology. For example, as part of our new product development process, all HP-formulated ink ingredients are screened using the GreenScreen® methodology.


We contribute to standards, legislation, and improved approaches to use of materials in the IT sector. In 2021, we became a Founding Signatory of the Toward Zero Exposure program by Green America’s Clean Electronics Production Network, to protect workers from chemical hazards in the electronics supply chain.

We continually innovate to reduce the use of materials of concern. Highlights in 2022 included:

  • As part of our continuing shift from plastic to alternative materials, HP is also exploring alternatives to traditional plastic ink and toner cartridges. The HP carton-based ink cartridge is a great example, and it is available now for all HP large-format printers using our latest generation of ink, such as the new HP Latex 2700 printer series. The HP carton-based ink cartridge reduces plastic use per liter of ink by 80% and decreases life cycle GHG emissions by 66% compared to a plastic ink cartridge, due to savings associated with manufacturing and transportation1 
  • The newest HP Dragonfly and Elite 1000 Series PCs, announced in early 2023, contain 90% recycled magnesium in the enclosure case2 and 5% ocean-bound plastic in the speaker enclosure, and incorporate bio-circular feedstock such as used cooking oil to help lower CO2 emissions.3 All outer packaging for the devices is 100% sustainably sourced4 
  • The HP 24- and 27-inch All-In-One PCs announced in early 2023 also leverage unique materials in their innovative frames, making these HP’s most impressive all-in-one offerings yet.5 These are the world’s first PCs with recycled coffee grounds, which are used as speckles in the finish of the PC6

See key milestones in our Green Chemistry Timeline at https://h20195.www2.hp.com/V2/getpdf.aspx/c06048911.pdf.


To see a copy of HP materials and chemical management policy, please go to https://h20195.www2.hp.com/V2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c05354207.


To learn more about the HP General Specification for the Environment program, see http://www.hp.com/go/sustainability_gse.


For more information, please see the 2022 HP Sustainable Impact Report at www.hp.com/go/report.


1 Applicable to HP 832 ink cartridges, CO2e reduction based on moving from plastic ink cartridge to cardboard HP Eco-Carton ink cartridge, with annual manufacturing savings of 291 tonnes CO2e and transportation savings of 8 tonnes CO2e.

2 Recycled magnesium by weight: enclosure includes top cover, screen bezel, palm rest cover, and bottom cover. 

3 HP Dragonfly G4 back cover contains a resin partially derived from bio-waste such as used cooking oil. Incorporates waste bio-feedstock according to the mass balance approach.

4 One hundred percent of outer box packaging and corrugated cushions made from sustainably sourced, certified, and recycled fibers.

5 Based on all HP All-in-One products manufactured after November 2022. Most sustainable defined as achieving the highest EPEAT Gold registration by meeting all required criteria according to IEEE 1680.1-2018 EPEAT. Status varies by country. Visit www.epeat.net for more information. Most combined sustainability features in an all-in-one product include more than 40% postconsumer recycled plastics and approx. 10% recycled metal. Types of sustainable materials: aluminum, postconsumer plastic, ocean-bound plastic, recycled polyester, coffee grounds.

6 HP internal analysis based on all PCs on the market as of November 2022.