Printer ink brands join forces for Singapore recycling project Dec 14, 2011 11:20 by Rob Williams
Five leading printer ink brands have linked up to deliver a cartridge recycling scheme in Singapore designed to make it easier for consumers to be green.
Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson and Lexmark are taking part in Project Homecoming, the country’s first branded printer ink and toner cartridge recycling initiative.
Combined with the support of the National Environment Agency (NEA) and National Library Board (NLB), the scheme is the first international expansion of a successful joint printer brand recycling project started in Japan three years ago.
The whole idea is to make it easy for recycle. Convenient cartridge bins will be placed at 13 NLB libraries, where people can deposit used printer ink and toner cartridges. It does not need to be Canon printer ink or Brother toner cartridges, however, as any brand can be deposited.
“We aim to bring greater convenience to the public who are keen on making a personal contribution to recycling efforts across the island, and are proud to be working together as a team to jointly fund and promote the culture of recycling in Singapore,” said Andrew Koh, lead spokesperson for Project Homecoming and senior director and general manager at Canon Singapore’s Consumer Imaging and Information Products Division.
“With strong support from the NEA and NLB, we will be able to give back to society through this initiative as socially responsible organisations, while driving home the message of environmental awareness through cartridge recycling as part of joint sustainability efforts from the printing industry.”
Recycling vendors involved in the scheme will collect the cartridges from the boxes and break down recyclable parts including plastics and metal. Recycling will minimise waste, landfill and pollution while maximising the recovery of valuable resources.
The firms involved in Project Homecoming indicated that similar schemes could be rolled out in other countries.
It comes as the Australian government looks to implement a new green scheme that will increase printer ink and toner recycling. The National Television and Computer Product Stewardship Scheme will mean no more electronic and related products are sent to landfill.
