0 comments

HP To Monitor The Paper Being Used In Printers

by on November 28, 2019
 

HP have started a new initiative to ensure that their own paper is not the reason behind deforestation. However, it does come with a side effect, according to InkEvolved.com. That concern largely revolves around the questions that are being asked of the consumer, which could breach privacy.

The main question centres around the paper that you’re using in your printer. This is a hot topic for most, as some printers are not printing black. However, it is hard to knock the technology giant as they are trying to make a difference, and that was something that incoming CEO Enrique Lores alluded to when talking at the Canalys Channels Forum in Barcelona.

Lores was keen to talk up about how much HP were trying to do for the environment and how green that they were going to become with him at the helm. When speaking at the meeting, Lores said: “People have the concept that when customers use pages or paper to print, they are killing trees, they’re using trees, and they’re really helping deforestation in the world. It is actually the opposite.”

That is because HP are going to make printing forest-positive. They will do this with their own-brand printer paper, which will be monitored. Then, when that paper hasn’t come “from forests that have been planted to become paper, we will actually be planting trees to compensate for that”.

It is certainly an interesting move from HP. However, the fact that they are trying to monitor the paper that is being used in consumer’s printers may not sit too comfortably with those that are being asked. It is a clear violation, but HP are trying to justify this breach by claiming it’s because they are trying to save the world.

The Other Downfall 

The only other aspect that goes against this interesting concept revolves around the amount of money that consumers will need to spend in order to go environmentally friendly. Consumers will need to buy the HP printer, and then the HP’s own paper, which is much heavier on your pockets that their competitors. In fact, the HP paper is around a quarter more expensive than most of the competitors. 

This has led many people to question whether the whole concept is really worth it. Instead of paying extra for this initiative, you could continue buying cheaper printing paper but then make a donation to a green charity of your choosing that supports forest-planting efforts. The donation is then up to you, instead of sticking with the 25% that is being laid down by HP.

However, it isn’t fair to shoot down the company for trying to do something outside the box. HP should be applauded for trying to take this stance, and there will likely be a lot of supporters around the world. The aim of 100% zero-deforestation around the world is already two years ahead of schedule, and should other companies follow in their footsteps; then the world would undoubtedly be a better place.

text