Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson and Lexmark to collaborate on Project Homecoming, to increase cartridge collection for forthcoming breaking-down.
Five major Singapore-based OEMs Brother, Canon, Dell, Epson and Lexmark are set to collaborate with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and National Library Board (NLB) on the launch of Project Homecoming, Singapore’s first joint-funded and managed printer cartridge recycling initiative.
Vendors of the initiative will “collect the cartridges from the boxes and break down recyclable parts including plastics and metal” and claim the process will “help minimise waste, landfill and pollution while maximizing the recovery of valuable resources”.
Project Homecoming intends to provide cartridge recycling bins at 13 NLB libraries where ink and toner cartridges can be deposited, including brands not in the Project Homecoming partnership.
Andrew Koh, Lead Spokesperson for Project Homecoming and General Manager, Consumer Imaging & Informational Products Division, Canon, commented: “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.
“With strong support from the NEA and NLB, we will be able to give back to society through this initiative as socially responsible organizations, while driving home the message of environmental awareness through cartridge recycling as part of joint sustainability efforts from the printing industry.”
Project Homecoming is the first international expansion of Ink Cartridge Satogaeri, a joint printer cartridge recycling scheme which started in Japan three years ago.
Recently, 25 public and private schools in Dubai joined the HP Planet Partners scheme to increase cartridge shredding in the Middle East, while the European Court of Justice reaffirmed a ruling from the EU Commission in 2009 not to investigate claims possible collusions between printer manufacturers and other antitrust violations.