Dell Expands Global Green-Packaging Strategy to Drive Cost and Environmental Savings

ROUND ROCK, TEXAS—Dell is implementing a plan to simplify and revolutionize computer packaging that will result in estimated savings of more than $8 million and the elimination of approximately 20 million pounds of packaging material during the next four years. The announcement is the latest milestone in Dell’s commitment to become the greenest technology company on the planet.

The company plans to reduce desktop and laptop packaging materials by approximately 10 percent worldwide, increase sustainable content in cushioning and corrugate packaging by 40 percent and ensure that 75 percent of packaging components are curbside recyclable by 2012.

With this announcement, Dell is the only major computer manufacturer with a global packaging reduction target for desktops and laptops. In 2007, the company exceeded its goal to reduce outbound packaging by 10 million pounds by nearly 10 percent. The company expects its desktop and laptop packaging goal to help preserve more than 150,000 trees.

Dell is integrating air-filled cushion technology and renewable materials including molded pulp cushions and 100 percent recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) thermal-formed cushions. Milk jugs and laundry detergent bottles are typical materials that comprise the HDPE recycled waste stream. During the next year, Dell estimates that it will integrate nearly two 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.

Through its server-packaging option MultiPack, the company is helping customers save time and simplify server installations by eliminating up to half of the packaging materials and waste that results during typical installations. "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," said Adam Werbach, CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi S, a global sustainability consulting agency that has worked closely with Dell to develop its packaging strategy.

Dell has also announced the Dell Greenprint Advisor, a free web-based resource center enabling organizations to assess their green initiatives and help prioritize future actions. The advisor is available to U.S. businesses and organizations at www.dell.com/greenprint and will be expanded to a global audience in the coming months.

“We’re challenging every technology company to join us in implementing a global green packaging strategy,” said Tod Arbogast, director of Sustainable Business at Dell. “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.”