insertcouncil logo>
Media releaseInsert date
Thanks Australia!<insert council name> residents!
<insert QTY> p13,500 printer cartridges recycled every working day
Responsible industry waste management hits record high
Over the last 12 months <insert council name> residents have recycled <insert QTY> used printer cartridges, giving ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ its biggest year ever.
Over the last 12 months Australians have made history[RC1][CW2][CW3] by recycling a record 13,500 used printer cartridges every working day, making it the biggest year ever since the launch of the ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ program.
In total, over 3.5 million cartridges were returned for recycling or remanufacture, which is equivalent to 386 bathtubs of cartridges returned every working day, or 6 backyard swimming pools every week! [RC4]
[OPTIONAL – Email recycling@planetark.org your council’s postcodes for statistics] Across Australia, over 3.5 million cartridges were returned for recycling or remanufacture, which is equivalent to 13,500 cartridges every working day, 386 bathtubs of cartridges returned every working day, or 6 backyard swimming pools every week! [RC5]In the last year <insert council name> residents have recycled insert QTY used printer cartridges, contributing to the record year for ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’.
Ryan Collins,Recycling Programs Managerat Planet Ark, says a key factor in this success is the industry’s willingnessto participate in this voluntary product stewardship scheme,which ensures the environmental impact of their productsis responsibly managed at the end of their useful life. [BG6][CW7][CW8][CW9]
“The success of ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ is a direct result of the commitment demonstrated by our program partners. With their participationthe program has been able to build an extensive collection and processing infrastructure that makes it easy for households and workplaces to recycle their cartridges, which is clearly reflected in the previous year’s [RC10]results. We’re particularly proud of the fact that the program has consistently achieved zero waste to landfill every year,” Collins said.
Collectively the participating cartridge manufacturers Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta and Kyocera have helped Australians divert 34 million cartridges from landfill,which is equivalent to over 14,500 tonnes of materials[BG11], since the program began in 2003.
“Waste is a growing issue that affects us all, in business and at home. That’s why a program like ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’, which allows us to recover and reuse valuable materials, and protect the environment by avoiding landfill, is invaluable,” said <insert spokesperson name, title, council name.
<Insert council name residents can access the program for free by taking their printer cartridges to the local collection boxes located at<insert council and public collection point locations – found on or amongst the outlets further below.
Printer cartridges can take between 450 and 1,000 years to break down in landfill, and e-waste is the fastest-growing form of waste. Rapid innovation, decrease in product lifespan and declining prices of both electronics and raw materials have led to more and more items being discarded.So it’s vital, for the environment and a viable manufacturing industry, that the concept of a closed loop production cycle is embraced.
Overall, Australian consumers are supportive of responsible waste management and recycling. In a recent study, 82% of participants stated that they will recycle even if it takes more effort[i].
[BG12]
Once they are collected, used printer cartridges are sorted and, depending on their type, returned to the manufacturer for remanufacturing, or dismantled, with plastics, metals, toner and ink collected
for recycling by resource recovery partner Close the Loop®.Even the bags and ties that help transport the cartridges once the collection box is full get recycled.
Aluminium, steel and up to six different types of plastic can be retrieved from used printer cartridges to make a variety of new products including cartridges, pens, rulers, eWood which is used to make park benches, fencing and garden beds, andTonerPave™, an asphalt additive that improves the performance and longevity of roads.
Innovation in this area is continuing, with the recent launch of a new product, Tonerseal™, a world-firstspray seal binder for roads which contains over 20% recycled waste toner and used tyrerubber. Todate approximately900 kms of Australian roads have been surfaced with TonerPave™ or Tonerseal™ which is longer than driving from Melbourne to Sydney, or almost going from Sydney to Brisbane. Recently Australia Zoo also chose to lay 250 tonnes of TonerPave™ as part of a commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.
Manufacturers are also implementing a range of other changes to their cartridges and equipment to reduce waste. These include using recycled plastic in their production, adding extra-large print tanks to extend their life and developing technology to monitor and balance usage across all colours. Changes to toner chemistry also allow for quality printing with lower energy use.
Consumers and workplaces can access a free network of 4,000 ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ public recycling collection boxes around the country, located at all Officeworks stores and participating Australia Post, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Office National outlets. Workplaces may also be eligible for a free collection box.
More workplaces than ever before signed up for a collection last year, so to register for a free box or to find your nearest retail drop-off location visit call 1300 763 768.
- ENDS -
[i]Waste Less, Recycle More Initiative Community Benchmark Study, NSW EPA August 2015
About Planet Ark
Planet Ark Environmental Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit organisation with a vision of a world where people live in balance with nature. Established in 1992, we are one of Australia’s leading environmental behaviour change organisations with a focus on working collaboratively and positively. We promote and create simple, positive environmental actions – for everyone.
For more information, to schedule an interview or to arrange a photo opportunity at your nearest participating ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ outlet, please contact:
<Insert name of council contact>Carol Warwick
<Insert contact’s title>PR and Media Manager
<Insert council name>Planet Ark
<Insert council contact tel number>P: 02 8484 7205 I 0410 784 549
insertcouncil contact email>E:
[RC1]Strictly speaking, the 13,500 figure comes from the last 12 months to the end of Feb. But I’m happy to leave it if you think this won’t be an issue. Otherwise we can say ‘In the last 12 months’
[CW2]
[CW3]
[RC4]Using the Volume tab of the C4PA Savings Calculator, for 13,500 I get 386 bathtubs (so about the same) but only 0.135 Olympic pools for every working week (5 days). Perhaps you could say 6 backyard pools every working week instead??
[RC5]Using the Volume tab of the C4PA Savings Calculator, for 13,500 I get 386 bathtubs (so about the same) but only 0.135 Olympic pools for every working week (5 days). Perhaps you could say 6 backyard pools every working week instead??
[BG6]I’ve made this specific to the C4PA program and the end of life. We can’t say they are taking responsibility at every stage as we don’t look at that.
[CW7]
[CW8]
[CW9]
[RC10]Or change to ‘previous year’s’
[BG11]That’s not correct. It’s more like 13,000 tonnes.
[BG12]Do we want to include reference to the Aus Post research. Something like ‘60% of Australians currently indicate that they recycle their cartridges. This is a great result that we are looking to build on.’