The effect of these principles ensures that out commitment to environmental management at Hewlett Packard is deeply rooted within our cultural values especially those associated with the Corporate Objectives established in 1957 which call us to "be a Social and Economic asset to each community in which we operate", this objective surely indicates an early reference to sustainable thinking in HP. The products and services which we offer to our customers reflect this commitment, as do the continual improvements to the environmental impact of our manufacturing processes, utilities usage efficiency, recycling, packaging design and waste minimisation.
Some times I wonder at my own conversion to the principles of sustainable development and the change that this had brought to my perception of its place within my overall facade of engineering entrepreneurialism, hard nosed facilities management and pragmatic Scottish Presbyterianism. Well I remember the time very clearly, it started very closely following the birth of my first grandson, a quiet walk with my dog along the Forth and Clyde canal and a drive up to HP’s estate near Dunkeld. Questions began to arise in my mind like "Why are all the trees dying", and "Will there be any around for him to enjoy when he is my age". This led to a sudden realisation that maybe "Acid Rain", "Global Warming" and other contamination could and should be controlled in a managed way to reduce their potential for ecological or economic disasters and that HP had a part to play.
It was therefore with some degree of comfort and relief that I discovered that his was in alignment with the HP way and our enduring values and therefore the process of introducing to the dangers of inactivity was made easier. In addition the principles of Product Stewardship were already established within the Corporation and as a result we had begun to carry out controlled product recycling and hazard waste management. Many exciting and environmentally responsible product developments have been brought to the market place as a result, including the use of recycling materials, low energy use components and also recyclable packaging.
It is some 5 years or so since this realisation made a difference to the way I viewed the way ahead for managing the environment within this part of Hewlett Packard and along with others to actively seek out ways of incorporating the changes needed in our mind sets, facilities design and utilities usage in co-operation with auditors, consultants and above all our own engineers. We have been extremely fortunate to have had a very able and enthusiastic EHS manager supported by a team of specialists who are keen conservationists and they, with the support of the site management had driven and guided the site to achieve registration to BS 7750 as one of the first 12 sites in the world, and later to ISO 14001.
One of the features that has been of great support to us is the encouragement and assistance that we 23 have experienced from many local organisations with common interests in sustainability, for instance we recently had the pleasure of hosting the formal launch, by Lord Sewel, of the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust’s Vision. At that occasion we were able to demonstrate an additional part of our site’s commitment to the Environment by inviting the group to walk through our new Wild Life Garden which has been designed and constructed in co-operation with EGBT and the Queensferry Environmental Forum. This project will be of benefit to the local schools in conducting experiments within the wet, marshy and dry habitats. In addition it affords a quiet and peaceful retreat from the daily business stress for the site occupants.
We at Hewlett Packard do really believe that environmental management and operational sustainability are mainstream issues and part of the HP way as we view the future environmental impact of our product sites. As an example, our involvement with LEEP and the SEF in the initiation of the "End of Life Electronic Goods" scheme, demonstrated very clearly how a committed commercial organisation can be very influential in supporting and driving these schemes to success. Another local interest is the mutual support and exchange of information that our membership of the Lothian and Borders Business Environmental Initiative provides, in addition it affords us the opportunity to contribute to the assistance of smaller businesses in managing their environmental impact. It is interesting also to note that in conjunction with CEBIS we were founding members of the Institute of Environmental Management and have benefited greatly from this association. In addition our EHS manager has been working for over a year with the Lord Provost’s Commission on Sustainable Development with the remit to take evidence and make recommendations for the city of Edinburgh.
In conjunction with the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce we are participating in the debate concerning a Sustainable Transport Initiative for the City. As mentioned before we have an estate near to Dunkeld, which is a SSSI, and we are very shortly opening a dialogue with Scottish Natural Heritage with a view to supporting a specific wildlife re-introduction or conservation project, that would assist, even in a small way, their aim of understanding our natural heritage more fully so that it can be sustained for future generations.
This aim brings me back finally to "No Small Change", it reminds me of pocket money of my childhood in Glasgow during the 2nd World War, when in good weeks there was maybe a little small change left over for the "weans". Regardless of how small it was we were always expected to save something for the future! Isn’t it just the same with sustainable development? All the work of interested parties, be they be governmental, industrial or private will eventually bring about the desired change. Our favourite definition is also about ensuring a better quality of life for everybody now and it’s about the "small changes" our businesses and employees can accomplish right now to make sure we give the coming generations their future back.
Harry Reid is employed by Hewlett Packard as facilities Manager, including EHS, at their South Queensferry site, in addition he has functional responsibility for the management of Operational Sustainability within the company’s European Environmental Management organisation.
