Dell’s molded paper pulp cushions are curbside-recyclable and use recycled material.

It’s one thing for a company to undertake green initiatives, but it’s another to challenge others to follow its lead. But that’s what Dell says it is doing with its green packaging strategy that will result in estimated savings of more than $8 million and the elimination of approximately 20 million pounds of packaging material in the next four years.   

The computer company recently announced that it plans to reduce desktop and laptop packaging materials by approximately 10 percent worldwide, as well as increase sustainable content in cushioning and corrugate packaging by 40 percent. The plan will also allow 75 percent of packaging components to be curbside-recyclable by the year 2012.   

According to the company, it is integrating air-filled cushion technology and renewable materials, such as molded pulp cushions and recycled, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) thermal formed cushions.   

“Milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles are typical materials that comprise the HDPE recycled waste stream,” Dell says. “Over the next year, Dell estimates that it will integrate nearly 2 million recycled milk jugs into cushions protecting its Studio Hybrid system. An estimated 33 million recycled milk jugs will be integrated into desktop and laptop packaging in 2009.”   

In addition, the company says its Web-based resource center, Dell Greenprint Advisor, located at dell.com/greenprint, can help organizations evaluate their green initiatives and prioritize actions. “We’re challenging every technology company to join us in implementing a global green packaging strategy,” Dell Director of Sustainable Business Tod Arbogast commented.  

“In doing so, we will drive extraordinary environmental and cost savings for our businesses and customers, while setting a new efficiency model for other industries to follow,” he added.   

Adam Werbach, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi S, a global sustainability consulting agency, added that “excessive packaging is among the most solvable challenges today. Changing the packaging paradigm presents an opportunity to increase business and brand value through sustainable innovation, resulting in positive environmental benefits.”   

Dell partnered with Saatchi & Saatchi to develop the packaging strategy.

“We congratulate Dell for introducing an important initial framework, which will enhance the company’s sustainable performance, while giving it a competitive edge among computer manufacturers,” Werbach said. “We look forward to the innovation and collaboration that will help Dell meet and exceed these goals, and hope to see similar strategies replicated across the industry.”

For more information, visit dell.com.