"It is of immense importance to us that we care for our environment" says Shirley Grady, general manager of HPE Africa. "Not only because it has become a world-wide and very pressing environmental issue, but because we are in an industry that is perceived to work against the health of the environment."

Hyundai Heavy Industries of Korea, one of the largest manufacturing companies in the world are environmentally friendly when it comes to building machinery. Reducing carbon emissions in all of their equipment is where design begins for them, so this fits well with HPE’s strategic plan to become lean, mean ... and green! "We ensure that all our suppliers comply with the European Tier 3 standards, which are extremely strict on emission control, and is a standard that is followed world-wide" says Grady. The first part of this ongoing exercise is to recycle. While this is being done in most businesses to some degree, HPE are taking it a step further; it will be an entire division that will be run by waste management specialists onsite, and full time. "By doing this, we will ensure that all opportunities for recycling will be maximised" says Grady.

There are many benefits to this investment such as improved housekeeping, job creation, social upliftment and education, as well as knowing that the company is legally compliant. The second step of this exercise is that staff will be educated and invited to recycle at home and use HPE’s recycling division to dispose of their waste in an effort to make people more aware and to promote environmental sustainability at a grassroots level. "I think it is hugely important for us as an industry to take a stand and to start being part of the solution as opposed to being a part of the problem" adds Grady.

As for the greening aspect; "For every machine that HPE Africa sell, we now plant a tree on behalf of the buyer!" The buyer will receive a certificate of proof, which is something to be proud of, a copy of which will be hung in HPE’s office.

"As a company, we’re very excited about this initiative, and will be running incentives for our dealers and our branches to ensure that they all take part in it. We have allocated just one wall for now, to put all our certificates up on and are looking forward to planting our first forest" says Grady "how many trees make a forest?"