More than 40 million printer cartridges recycled

PLANET Ark is thanking Australians for returning more than 40 million printer cartridges to collection boxes at businesses and workplaces across the country since the program’s launch in 2003.

The materials in returned cartridges are recovered by Planet Ark’s Melbourne-based resource recovery partner Close the Loop and incorporated in a range of recycled products such as pens, eWood garden beds and road surfaces.

This year was also marked by Downer Group’s launch of Reconophalt, a more durable road surface than traditional asphalt which includes recycled printer toner, soft plastic and glass.

Roads made out of the material can already be found in greater Melbourne and Sydney, with facilities to produce and lay the roads being built at the time of writing.

Layne Beachley, seven-time world surfing champion and Planet Ark ambassador, said the milestone – enough to fill at least 80 Olympic-sized swimming pools – was a great achievement for Australians.

“Congratulations to everyone who helped achieve this significant milestone. Together we have kept important resources in circulation and out of landfill. Keep up the great work and let’s make 2019 even bigger for Cartridges 4 Planet Ark.”

Planet Ark also wants to thank the manufacturers whose support is essential for the program’s continued success: Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta and Kyocera.

Cartridge collection boxes can be found at all Officeworks stores as well as participating Australia Post, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Office National and Office Depot outlets.

To register for a free cartridge collection box at your workplace or to find your nearest retail dropoff location, head to cartridges.planetark.org or phone 1300 763 768.