HP sets Sail with the Plastiki

HP joined the Plastiki expedition as the voyage’s official technology provider to inspire people to rethink waste as a resource. The Plastiki, a one-of-a-kind 60-foot catamaran created out of reclaimed plastic bottles, self-reinforced PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and recycled materials, is making its momentous voyage across the Pacific Ocean later this year.

HP will equip Adventure Ecology and the Plastiki crew with the powerful yet efficient technology products needed to make the 10,000-mile expedition from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia. HP also collaborated with Adventure Ecology on its interactive activity and educational center, Plastiki Mission Control.

Located at San Francisco’s Pier 45, Plastiki Mission Control was built to educate and inform people about the Plastiki expedition by showcasing the groundbreaking thinking, technologies and sustainable design solutions that are transforming 10,000 plastic soda bottles into a seaworthy vessel. By interacting with 10 energy-efficient HP TouchSmart IQ816 PCs, visitors can find blueprints and sketches, expedition equipment, maps and films, along with fun ways to interact with the Plastiki expedition. Guests will leave the interactive educational center with a better understanding of the effects of waste on the planet and of Adventure Ecology’s and HP’s visions for sustainability.

"We all share the responsibility to preserve our environment," said Satjiv Chahil, senior vice president, Global Marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. "Through technology innovation, HP helps raise awareness of some of the world’s most pressing environmental needs, and delivers solutions – from energy-efficient products to sustainable packaging and transforming processes – that make it easier for our customers to be green."

“We are pleased to announce HP as the technology partner for our forthcoming expedition, The Plastiki,” said David de Rothschild, founder, Adventure Ecology. “This partnership is not only of great significance due to the long-term mission of Adventure Ecology to promote and influence smarter ‘Planet 2.0’ ways of working, but also because of the exciting opportunity for us to help support HP’s ongoing commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its products, services and operations. It is our shared vision to create a smarter, more sustainable ‘Planet 2.0’ way of living, through inspiration, education, storytelling and the empowerment of individuals. This partnership has all the right ingredients to create the agents of change that will help to sculpt our future.”