Epson includes large format ink cartridges in its recycling scheme September 22, 2008 09:31 by John Sollars

From the end of September 2008, Epson will be accepting large format printer ink and toner cartridges in its recycling scheme.  The present scheme has been running in Europe since the beginning of 2006 and is now an integral part of Epson's Environmental Vision 2050 sustainability program.

The Scheme provides collection boxes throughout Europe and South Africa and is designed to handle cartridges from all businesses including professional printers.  However until this announcement cartridges from large format printers were not included in the recycling program.

Businesses can register and request a collection box at the company’s website: www.epson-europe.com. The box will be delivered within five business days. When the box is full, the customer can use the online forum to request a pick-up and a replacement box.

All of the cartridges collected through the program are recycled or properly disposed of if the materials have reached their end of life cycle. Ideally, the plastic components from the cartridges are recycled into products for use in manufacturing and construction; metal parts are smelted and recycled into products for industrial applications.

Martin Johns, Epson’s Senior Product Manager Large Format Printers, said the company is eager to help reduce the carbon footprint with its European program. “With leadership comes responsibility. A key element of Epson’s broad-ranging environmental commitments is to ensure a reduction in the number of ink cartridges that end up in landfill. We believe the best way to do that is to run a free, convenient and high-quality collection and recycling program. I’m happy that we’ve now been able to extend this initiative to cartridges from our range of large format printers.”