HP Australia has partnered with start-up accelerator Ocean Impact Organisation (OIO) to launch the Generation Impact Incubator, a program seeking out the next generation of eco-innovation in Australia and giving young Aussies the chance to bring their ocean saving ideas to life.

Destined to experience the worst effects of plastic pollution and the declining health of the ocean, we're told "young Australians hold the key to accelerating much needed innovations for the ocean," and that "HP’s Generation Impact Incubator will enable the solutions of passionate, determined young Australians to transform ocean health and protect the next generations’ future."

Both organisations note Australians have "an innate connection to the ocean living on the largest island on earth and with 80% of us living in coastal regions.

"Acting as planet Earth’s life support system, covering 72% of the Earth and supplying half of our oxygen, oceans are vital to our future. But devastatingly, we’re on track to see more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050 and a range of other challenges that threaten our blue planet. In Australia, we consume 3.5 million tonnes of plastic annually with five kilograms of plastic entering the ocean per person each year, more than three times the global average."

Mike Boyle, the MD of HP Australia and New Zealand said “At HP, we want to make life better for all and we’ve set an ambitious agenda to tackle some of the most urgent issues facing our planet, including saving our oceans. And while we’re making strong strides, we know that real, lasting impact is achieved through partnership, and at scale. We’re thrilled to partner with Ocean Impact Organisation on The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2021, and through Generation Impact to bring together the brightest minds of Australia’s next generation to transform simple ideas and thoughts into groundbreaking solutions that can benefit the ocean.”

HP’s Generation Impact will debut at Ocean Impact Organisation’s annual Pitchfest event, which showcases and celebrates Australian innovators with ideas to positively impact our ocean.

Nick Chiarelli, CEO and Co-Founder, Ocean Impact Organisation said “our annual Pitchfest brings together startups and entrepreneurs from around the world who are working to make a positive impact on the ocean. We’re thrilled to have HP Australia join us on our quest to transform ocean health through inspiration, innovation, and good business. We’re continuing to see and hear how eager people are to contribute to a better way and a better future. We’re excited to tap into young Australian’s ideas to improve our way of living and make Australia a leader in creating positive ocean impact.”

The Generation Impact winner will have access to funding, technology, and expert mentorship from HP Australia and Ocean Impact Organisation, to help them bring their ocean innovation to life.

The partnership also comes of the back of HP’s ambitious agenda to become the world’s most sustainable and just technology company, which was set up in June 2021. We're told this commitment builds on the company’s plastic strategy to reduce single-use plastic packaging by 75% by 2025, swap plastic foam packaging for 100% recyclable molded pulp packaging, use 30% post consumer recycled plastic in HP products by 2025, and expand the supply chain for ocean-bound plastic where it has the greatest impact. The partnership sees HP Australia join OIO as a Major Technology Partner and a Presenting Partner of The Ocean Impact Pitchfest 2021 alongside Bank Australia.

HP products include:

• HP Elite c1030 Chromebook Enterprise contains 75% recycled aluminum in its top lid, and has a keyboard made from 50% recycled plastics
• HP EliteBook 840 G8 Aero contains a magnesium chassis that contains 90% recycled materials, recycled plastics, and 100% sustainably sourced packaging to reduce environmental impact
• HP Pavilion laptops use 92,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles in the speaker housing
• HP Renew Series includes a backpack, topload, tote and slim brief made from 100% recycled plastic bottles
• 11,900 tons of Original HP Ink and Toner cartridges recycled in 2020, and all Original HP Ink cartridges are made with upcycled plastic water bottles and apparel hangers 

To apply, Aussies under the age of 35, can submit their idea in an online application form here with successful applicants invited to submit a three minute video pitch. From there, finalists will be judged by a multidisciplinary panel of experts with the winner announced on 4 November 2021.

You can apply for HP’s Generation Impact program or to find out more information, here, with more about HP’s ambitious global sustainability goals here.

GLOBAL FAST FACTS:

• HP has sourced 1.7 million pounds of ocean-bound plastics for use in over 50 HP products.
• HP opened a $2 million plastic washing line Haiti to produce clean, high-quality recycled plastic for use in HP products, including Original HP ink cartridges.
• HP partnered with UL on the first ever certification for ocean-bound plastics. 
• HP has diverted more than 60 million bottles from reaching the waterways and oceans, and instead have cycled this postconsumer material into their supply chain and new products.