HP Wins Walmart Design Challenge With Innovative Notebook Packaging

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Walmart today named HP the winner of its Home Entertainment Design Challenge, singling out the technology company for further reducing the environmental impact of personal computers. The HP Pavilion dv6929 Entertainment Notebook (http://www.hp.com/go/walmartchallenge) features an innovative design that reduces product packaging by 97 percent, conserving fuel and reducing CO2 emissions by removing the equivalent of one out of every four trucks previously needed to deliver the notebooks to Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations around the country.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080903/LAW081-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080903/LAW081-b)

In accordance with its long-standing Design for the Environment strategy (http://www.hp.com/go/environment), HP radically redesigned the packaging of the HP Pavilion dv6929 by replacing conventional protective shipping materials and boxes with the HP Protect Messenger Bag, a stylish and protective accessory with fabric made from 100 percent recycled materials. This allows for a dramatic reduction in overall packaging content and size while delivering equal, if not better, product protection when compared to conventional packaging.

Now exclusively available in nearly 1,700 Walmart stores and 594 Sam's Club locations across the U.S. for $798*, the winning HP notebook will be displayed on shelves wearing only the HP Protect Messenger Bag. Customers who purchase the HP notebook will leave the store with the computer and its accessories cushioned safely in the notebook bag. This makes it easier for consumers to make a more environmentally responsible choice by removing the burden of disposing of the cardboard, foam or plastic typically found in consumer electronics packaging.

Consumers who purchase the HP Pavilion dv6929 from Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations can take advantage of free recycling of their old PC, and also benefit from the variety of energy-efficient features that qualify the notebook for the ENERGY STAR(R) rating and Silver registration in the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT(TM)).

Like most HP products, the HP Pavilion dv6929 is also transported exclusively by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified SmartWay surface transport carriers to Walmart stores. The SmartWay program aims to reduce the fuel consumption, greenhouse gases and other air emissions of surface transportation carriers.

"Caring for the environment is a personal choice that is becoming increasingly important for our customers," said Steven DeWitt, senior vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. "We are honored that Walmart has not only recognized HP's efforts to ensure that technology and environment enthusiasts have more sustainable choices available to them, but to also join them to help reduce our combined environmental impact from product development through delivery to the consumer."

Walmart's Home Entertainment Design Challenge was open to all suppliers of consumer electronics products and three criteria were used to evaluate the submissions:

    1. Great design that attracts consumers.
    2. Product innovation that reduces the environmental impact for its
       product category.
    3. Packaging design that facilitates reuse and recycling, reduces waste,
       and reduces or eliminates the use of toxic materials.

"This effort is an extension of our ongoing commitment to provide our shoppers with the best eco-friendly product offerings," said Alex Cook, merchandise manager for Walmart Home Entertainment. "We received many strong ideas from different suppliers, but the innovative packaging with this HP laptop really stood out, and we are thrilled to make this great product available to shoppers in Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations."

Additional information on HP Pavilion dv6929 Entertainment Notebook is available on HP's Web site at http://www.hp.com/go/walmartchallenge and photos are available at http://www.walmartfacts.com. More information about Wal-Mart's sustainability efforts and programs can be found at http://www.walmartstores.com.

About HP

HP, the world's largest technology company, provides printing and personal computing products and IT services, software and solutions that simplify the technology experience for consumers and businesses. HP completed its acquisition of EDS on Aug. 26, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com/.

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)

Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to its online store at http://www.walmart.com. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $296 million to local communities inthe United States. More information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com.

*Prices may vary by location.

ENERGY STAR is a registered mark owned by the U.S. government.

SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Tags: ,REA,SUP,CPR,ENV,AWD,CSR,AR-WMT-Challenge-HP

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