Sept. 3, 2008 - Hewlett-Packard has answered Wal-Mart's call for greener packaging, replacing standard shipping materials with a protective "messenger bag" that downsizes product packaging by a staggering 97%.

The new packaging for HP's Pavilion dv6929, made from 100% recycled materials, replaces the traditional box with a fabric bag. The new design takes less space to ship and creates less waste for consumers to dispose of, according to HP.

The innovative packaging design has won Wal-Mart's Home Entertainment Design Challenge, which was open to all suppliers of consumer electronics products. Three criteria were used to evaluate 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.

The challenge is part of Wal-Mart's aggressive approach to work with suppliers in providing more environmentally friendly products. The company has implemented a scorecard system to rate suppliers on their progress toward developing sustainable packaging.

The HP Pavilion dv6929 is available in Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs stores across the country. Consumers who purchase the computer can also take advantage of free recycling of their old PC.