Greenpeace Activists Paint HP Headquarters 'Hazardous'

Hewlett-Packard's recent efforts to paint itself green apparently haven't convinced Greenpeace -- activists from the global environmental advocacy group defaced HP's Palo Alto, Calif., headquarters early Tuesday to protest the computer maker's alleged "backtracking" on a schedule for phasing out certain toxic chemicals in its products.

A spokesperson for the environmental group confirmed that the action at HP's campus, which resulted in the words "Hazardous Products" being painted on the roof of the company's main building, was part of an official Greenpeace protest against HP. Greenpeace claims that HP has gone back on a pledge to eliminate materials containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in its products by the end of 2009 and may extend its use of those toxic chemicals through 2011.

"We deployed at around 6:30 in the morning with our team on the roof and got the message painted in about eight to 10 minutes," said Casey Harrell, a Greenpeace campaign coordinator focusing on the IT industry and its use of toxic materials. Another group of Greenpeace protesters dressed in hazmat suits was situated at HP's main entrance until about 9 a.m. PDT, he said.

Greenpeace activists used "children's finger paint" to paint their message on HP's roof "to emphasize the use of non-hazardous materials," Harrell said.

Neither PVC nor BFRs are officially banned for use in personal computers or consumer electronics products, but according to Harrell, HP and other computer makers had voluntarily pledged to reduce and eliminate their use of PVC and BFRs by the end of the year before HP, Dell and Lenovo recently informed Greenpeace that they would not adhere to that schedule.

"I've sat down and talked with our HP counterparts and it has become clear that we were not getting anywhere on this specific issue of toxics. We set out a challenge three years ago to all the global brands, with a focus on the PC manufacturers, that if you want to be truly green, then go beyond the law and phase out chemicals that aren't yet outlawed," Harrell said.

"With PVC plastic and brominated flame retardants, we said, 'We know that you can't do everything at once, but these are the things you can do, because these are the chemicals that the scientists are saying are the worst.' "

Harrell said Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple had eliminated PVC and BFRs from its own supply chain at the end of 2008 and that other major computer makers' pledge to do the same by the end of this year represented a major step toward the elimination of the chemicals in the PC industry.

He accused HP of undermining the plan.

"We thought we had critical mass. HP, Dell, Acer and Lenovo had schedules [to eliminate PVC and BFRs by the end of the year]. And then we got a call from HP and they said, 'We're not going to be able to meet this deadline by end of 2009,' " Harrell said. "Then Dell and Lenovo called and said they too wouldn't be able to do it. Only Acer is sticking to the deadline."

Greenpeace chose to target HP Tuesday in part because of its belief that the company's decision to postpone the elimination of PVC and BFRs from its supply chain encouraged Dell and Lenovo to do the same, Harrell said. But the Greenpeace spokesman said that HP's status as the world's largest PC maker also played a part, as did his claim that Dell and Lenovo have done more to date than HP to reduce, if not eliminate, the use of the chemicals in their products.

"Dell and Lenovo are exceeding HP in putting out products with completely free and reduced use of PVC materials on the market. Dell's taking a leadership role in certain areas and HP hasn't. They are the biggest company and they are doing the least," Harrell said.

Greenpeace felt it needed to "escalate" its confrontation with HP over the use of PVC and BFRs and "employ some traditional direct action," the Greenpeace spokesman said.

HP e-mailed Channelweb.com its official statement on the events of the day late Tuesday. Here it is in full:

"For decades HP has been a leader in environmental responsibility and has adopted practices in product development, operations and supply chain that are transparent and help to reduce its environmental impact. HP has a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability, with three main components: minimizing our impact; helping our customers to improve their environmental performance; and driving towards a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

"This commitment includes reducing the use of BFR/PVC in our products until these materials are eliminated entirely. HP has introduced several new computing products this year that use less BFR/PVC than previous generations. This September HP will release a BFR/PVC-free notebook. By fall 2010 all new commercial PC products released will be BFR/PVC free. By the end of 2011 all new PC products released will be free of BFR/PVCs.

"The unconstructive antics at HP's headquarters today did nothing to advance the goals that all who care about the environment share. HP will continue its efforts to develop new products and programs around the globe that help the company, its business partners and customers conserve energy, reduce materials use and reduce waste through responsible reuse and recycling. HP supports industry efforts to eliminate BFR and PVC because of potential e-waste issues. HP is a worldwide leader in e-waste recycling. HP has recycled one billion pounds of electronic products from 1987 to 2007 and has committed to recycling another billion pounds between 2008 and 2011."

This article has been updated.

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