Dell announces that through an innovative commercial-scale pilot program, it is the first in the technology industry to ship packaging from of plastics caught in the ocean. Dell recycles plastic collected from waterways and beaches and uses it in a new laptop carrying mat Dell XPS 13 2-in-1. It thus develops a broader corporate strategy aimed at the sustainable supply chain. In 2017, Dell's pilot program will prevent 8 tons of plastic from entering ocean waters.
As of April 30, 2017, Dell switched to packaging containing ocean plastic for the XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop. At the same time, the company attaches an explanation to the packaging informace, to increase public awareness of the state of the ocean ecosystem and stimulate activity in this area. Dell promotes this initiative together with the foundation Lonely Whale Foundation and American actor and entrepreneur Adrian Grenier, who is the face of environmental initiatives in the role of Social Good Advocate. In order to ensure that the packaging does not end up in the ocean again, Dell puts a recycling symbol on its packaging with the number 2. This indicates the HDPE material, which is commonly recycled in many places. Dell's packaging team designs its products and used materials so that more than 93% of packaging (by weight) can be recycled and reused according to the principles circular economy.
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There are several steps involved in processing ocean plastics in the supply chain: Dell partners capture plastic at the source—in waterways, shorelines, and beaches—before it reaches the ocean. The used plastic is then processed and cleaned. Ocean plastics (25%) are mixed with other recycled HDPE plastics (the remaining 75%) from sources such as bottles or food packaging. The resulting recycled plastic flakes are then shaped into new shipping mats, which are sent for final packaging and shipping to customers.
Another green industry first, Dell's pilot program follows a successful feasibility study launched in March 2016 in Haiti. The company has a long tradition of incorporating sustainable and recycled materials into its products and packaging. It has been using recycled plastics in its desktop computers since 2008, and in January 2017 it reached its goal of using 2020 million tons of recycled materials in its products by 25. Dell is increasingly focusing on cyclical recycling, in which materials from other manufacturers' waste are used as inputs for the production of packaging or the products themselves. Dell was the first—and remains the only—manufacturer to offer computers and monitors made with e-waste plastic and recycled carbon fiber.
In partnership with Adrian Grenier and the Lonely Whale Foundation, Dell is helping to raise awareness about the state of the oceans. He takes advantage of it technology for virtual reality, which will show people up close what threats the ocean faces. A recent study[1] states that in 2010 alone, between 4,8 and 12,7 million tons of plastic waste entered the ocean, the processing of which was not managed. Dell has published a document white paper: Ocean Plastic Resources on sourcing strategies and plans to establish an interdisciplinary task force to address ocean plastics on a global scale.
Availability
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 laptop in ocean plastic packaging is available globally on Dell.com and select Best Buy stores in the US starting April 30, 2017.
