At my job we have an order placed with HP for some new equipment, including three servers, a couple storage arrays, and other miscellaneous parts. Yesterday we received the first part of that order, 6 x 7-foot network cables. Each cable was individually packaged inside a cardboard box, and all six boxes came inside a large cardboard box with a bunch of air packs for padding.
Packaging for 6 7-foot long network cables
You can see the actual cables in the middle of the picture. It’s a bit comical, but disappointing that so much waste occurs.
Update: Today we received another identical package, except this one contains 6 x 3-foot network cables.
Article by Alex Kuretz
I'm Alex Kuretz, and I'm the founder of MediaSmartServer.net. I was the Lead Test and Integration Engineer at HP for the MediaSmart Server until April 2008 when I moved on to other opportunities outside HP. I've kept active in the Windows Home Server community, creating several add-ins and helping users make the most of their Home Servers.
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Not so sure I would call this “funny”. Disgusting waste in my book.
Send the empty packaging back to HP and suggest they reuse it…!
Its not the first time for HP
More reports of HP excessive packaging…
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/21/more_hp_packaging/
and here
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/23/enormouse/
Although HP got the “waste Award” today, they are not the only ones. From my immediate work experience, companies like Cisco, EMC, Dell, IBM, etc. are equally guilty for this type of waste that you hope gets recycled at the very minimum.
One company that appears to take pride in packaging their products with effective but minimal packaging is Apple Computers. If you’ve never “experienced” their packaging with the purchase of their hardware whether ipods or imacs, go check it out.
Apple Computers has really taken leadership in their efforts to be environmentally responsible. I wish more companies would follow their lead.
It’s not that hard.
Disclaimer: I work for HP in the TSG division.
I have to go on record to say that this has everything to do with the part number that is ordered. We offer single-part part numbers and multiple-part part numbers (even factory integrated part numbers). Granted, it is wasteful, and your sales rep should have caught this and ordered the appropriate part numbers. It is certainly not the only option and can be avoided by double checking what you order.