Lenovo ESG
Packaged with the Environment in Mind
Our Approach
Lenovo is intent on reducing the size of our packaging to minimize the materials used while maintaining adequate protection for our products. Lenovo’s packaging priorities focus on reducing our packaging consumption, waste, and carbon emissions levels by:
Increasing the use of recycled and renewable materials in packaging
Increasing the use of bio-based materials
Reducing the size of product packaging
Expanding the use of bulk and reusable packaging solutions
Bamboo and Sugar Cane Fiber
The use of bamboo or sugar cane fibers in select products marked the launch of a new era of eco-friendly packaging offerings for Lenovo, while also enhancing customer experience. Bamboo fiber has many favorable features, including:
Sleek and robust design
Lightweight
100 percent renewable
When this new packaging was used to ship memory cards and one of our ThinkPad models. The result was 6.7 percent less transportation CO2 emissions. We are continuing to expand the use of this bamboo and sugar cane fiber packaging innovation. Most recently, a brand-new bamboo gift box was introduced to ThinkPad X1 and Z series. It’s made from 100 percent renewable bamboo fiber and the box weight is effectively reduced by 30 percent compared to the previous gift box.
Ocean Bound Plastic
In 2019, Lenovo’s packaging team began researching the possibility of using ocean bound plastic (OBP) in product packaging. Based on repeated test results, the packaging team determined a mix of 30 percent OBP with 70 percent other recycled plastic had the best performance. Lenovo launched the first packaging cushion containing OBP (30 percent OBP and 70 percent other recycled plastics) in ThinkPad L14 packaging. In FY 2022/23, Lenovo expanded the use of OBP to new ThinkPad L series, select desktop/AIO and consumer notebooks as packaging cushions or system bags. Through these applications, Lenovo estimated it will use 130 to 140 metric tons of ocean bound plastic per year.
Plastic-Free Packaging
Lenovo aims to eliminate plastic materials from product packaging. The ThinkPad X1 and Z series packaging are pioneers towards this ultimate target. By combining bamboo fiber technology with other innovative materials, the packaging team has accomplished plastic-free primary packaging on ThinkPad X1 and Z series. As a result, Lenovo eliminated 192 metric tons of plastic in packaging.
Packaging Specifications for Suppliers
Lenovo’s packaging program requires all corrugated container packaging supplied to be a minimum of 70 percent post-consumer fiber content and requires suppliers to use the maximum available PCC where adequate supplies exist without compromising required packaging performance characteristics, while the printing on boxes is done via flexography with water-based, non-toxic, RoHS-compliant inks. In addition, Lenovo’s packaging program requires the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fibers in liners for all ThinkPad products and select consumer notebooks when virgin fibers are used.
Bulk Packaging
Bulk packaging and reusable bulk packaging may be available for many of Lenovo's products in select regions. Contact your sales rep for more information.
To learn more about Lenovo’s product packaging solutions, please see our most recent ESG report.
