Print Cartridge Recycling

An estimated 18 million printer cartridges are used by Australians each year, creating 5000 tonnes of waste.1 However toner cartridges can be recycled!

Planet Ark, the Australian not-for profit environmental organisation, have joined with Close the Loop and other participating manufacturers to set up the innovative 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' program.  This program collects and returns cartridges for remanufacturing and recycling - therefore keeping them out of landfill.  In fact we guarantee zero waste to landfill for all of the cartridges collected through the program. 

You can visit http://cartridges.planetark.org/ to learn what exactly happens to the cartridges when they are recycled.
 

Print Cartridge Recycling at UOW

 The University has participated in the Cartridges for Planet Ark program for a few years and ESI are looking to coordinate our approach to toner cartridge recycling on campus to ensure all staff and students have access to the program.

Downloads to help Implement the Program in your building.

•  UOW Print Cartridge Recycling Program Poster
• Planet Ark: What happens to your cartridges poster

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What can I put in the print cartridge recycling bin at UOW? 
2. How do I recycle printer, fax machine and photocopier print cartridges at UOW?
3. Where is my nearest toner cartridge bin at UOW?
4. Which brands can be recycled?
5. Are there any health and safety risks from recycling print cartridges?
6. What happens to the cartridges when they are recycled?
7. What about my print cartridges in my printer at home?
8. Where can I get more information?
9. The print cartridge bin near me is full, what do I do?
10. There are few or no bin liners left, what do I do?
11. How does this program effect my ordering of printer suppliers?
12. I work at UOW and I want a print cartridge recycling bin in my area, what do I do?

1. What can I put in the toner cartridge recycling bin at UOW?

 All printing related equipment including:

• All bottles, large & small
• All cartridges: Toner & Inkjets
• Bulk inkjet containers
• Bulk Plastics
• Bulk toner/developer
• Bulk Liquid Cleaning Units
• Copier Parts
• Developer Units
• Drum Units
• Fuser Units 
• Fax Rolls
• Imaging Units
• Printheads
• Toner Collection Kits
• Transfer Kits
• Waste Hoppers/Containers/Collectors

2. How do I recycle printer, fax machine and photocopier print cartridges at UOW?

Simply remove the cartridge from the device and place in your nearest Cartridges 4 Planet Ark recycle bin.

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3. Where is my nearest print cartridge bin at UOW?

A list of collection bins is being developed.  Contact  environment-team@uow.edu.au to find out where your nearest print cartridge recycling bin is located.
If you know of a print recycling collection bin in your area please email  environment-team@uow.edu.au and let us know the location of the bin.

4. Which brands can be recycled?

All brands and all types of cartridges from printers, photocopiers, fax machines and multi-function devices can be recycled.

5. Are there any health and safety risks from recycling print cartridges?

Some black and coloured toners do use heavy metals to provide colour/pigment. These chemicals are safely contained within a print cartridge. In normal use and disposal of a print cartridge an individual will not come into contact with these chemicals. 

The materials only become a health risk when they are no longer contained. This can be either through the deliberate opening of the cartridge during recycling or through the casing breakdown due to exposure in landfill. So recycling print cartridges is better, and safer, for the environment!

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6. What happens to the cartridges when they are recycled?

Planet Ark provides comprehensive information on their toner cartridge recycling program on their website. 
Information can be found by visiting their What Happens website or downloading their information poster.

7. What about my print cartridges in my printer at home?

Print cartridges cannot be recycled in your normal recycling bin at home. As part of the University’s commitment to the environment, and to the community, you are encouraged to bring in your print cartridges in from home and place them in the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark bins on campus. Information on other options to recycle print cartridges in the community are available, learn more here.

8.Where can I get more information?

More information is available from the Environment Unit by contacting environment-team@uow.edu.au or through the Planet Ark Website.

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9. The print cartridge bin near me is full, what do I do?

At Wollongong Campus:

1. Remove the bin liner and secure it with the tie provided as part of the bin kit. 
2. Place the bag in the internal mail and UOW’s Distribution Services will make sure it gets to Australia Post for sending to the recyclers.
3. Replace the bin liner so that the box is ready to be used again. There should be spare liners in the bottom of the box.  If not contact the Environment and Sustainable Initiatives Unit on 4221 3626 to arrange for more liner bags.
4. Please note:  Under no circumstances  should an external company/contractor be coming to empty the toner collection bins at UOW.  If this situation arises please contact UOW Security.

 At Innovation Campus:

1. When the bin is 3/4 full please log a job through Resolve FM Hub.
2. A representative will come and empty the bin and replace the liner bag.
3. Please note:  Under no circumstances  should an external company/contractor be coming to empty the toner collection bins at UOW.  If this situation arises please contact UOW Security.

10. There are few or no bin liners left, what do I do?

At Wollongong Campus, as soon as you realise the bin is running out of liners, please call the Environment and Sustainable Initiatives Unit on 4221 3626. We will send out more liners and ties to you with the unique identifiers and postage information on them.

At Innovation Campus Resolve FM will take care of that for you. 

11. How does this program effect my ordering of printer suppliers?

As the program can accept any toner models it has no impact on your ordering. Just follow the normal UOW processes you have for ordering printer supplies.

 12. I work at UOW and I want a print cartridge recycling bin in my area, what do I do?

Please contact the Environment Unit at environment-team@uow.edu.au for assistance.

 ¹ Source: http://cartridges.planetark.org/about/

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