The OEM has joined the CER to “further strengthen [its] commitment to [the] circular economy”.
In a press release, the OEM stated that it “Lexmark continues to pledge support to the recovery, remanufacturing and recycling of printer cartridges “, and that its joining the CER “further reaffirm[s] its long-standing support for the circular economy”. Lexmark added that the CER was “launched with the objective of becoming the focal point for remanufacturing policy dialogue and benchmarking in Europe and beyond”.
In turn, the CER “works with leading remanufacturers in Europe to raise policy-maker awareness, encourage sustainability and remanufacturing initiatives, whilst helping to grow businesses and create new jobs”. For the OEM, “as a vocal supporter for remanufacturing and of broader sustainability and CSR initiatives around the world”, its decision to join “is a move that highlights its intention to continue its remanufacturing and other environmentally responsible business practices”.
Lexmark added that “through its pioneering Lexmark Cartridge Collection Programme (LCCP), the company has made substantial developments in decreasing waste and in encouraging the public to reuse and recycle”, as LCCP “is a service that offers free cartridge collection, combined with a recycling and reuse process for cartridges, regardless of the cartridge producer”.
In turn, “an added benefit of the programme” is that “customers and partners have access to Lexmark Corporate Cartridges, the company’s most sustainable line of cartridges, with guaranteed reusability and the highest post-consumer recycled content (PCR) in the market”. The OEM is also “a member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation”, and “is constantly looking to make environmentally conscious decisions throughout its business, and urges customers to make choices that have a positive impact on the environment.
“Lexmark’s membership is recognition of the company’s ongoing commitment to building a regenerative, circular economy”. The CER (Conseil Européen de Remanufacture) was officially launched earlier this year, after first being announced in 2016, in order to provide a “coordinated voice from the leaders of remanufacturing businesses and organisations” as part of a two-year project undertaken by the European Remanufacturing Network (ERN).
Sylvie Thomas, Head of Corporate Responsibility for Lexmark in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, stated: “As a circular economy leader, Lexmark’s decision to join the CER was easy. We’re always looking for new ways to become more sustainable, whilst also empowering our customers to do the same. By joining the CER, we’re continuing to deepen our commitment to the circular economy by increasing our interests in remanufacturing. This is a very important part of our product lifecycle, and we want to continue to make it as sustainable a process as possible.”
David Fitzsimons, founding director of the CER, added: “The CER is an organisation at the heart of remanufacturing in Europe. Our aim is simple — we want to raise policy-maker awareness and understanding of the remanufacturing sector and the circular economy in Europe. With global organisations such as Lexmark supporting us, our job becomes much easier.
“Lexmark practices what it preaches — the company is renowned for its rich heritage in sustainability. Lexmark’s Cartridge Collection Programme is living proof of this. We look forward to welcoming the company as a founder member of the CER. Together, we will focus our efforts on strengthening the position of remanufacturing as the backbone of the circular economy.”