Ricoh announces revolutionary cartridge recycling initiative
Announcement posted by Ricoh Australia 13 Dec 2002
-More than 21,000 cartridges to be turned into park benches-
Ricoh has announced the launch of the first national toner cartridge plastic recycling programme in Australia. The programme aims to recycle more than 21,000 cartridges, reclaiming the plastic to make durable objects such as park benches.
Following a successful trial during which three park benches were donated to educational institutions, Ricoh is now set to expand the scheme in 2003.
In the Sydney area alone, more than 7 million tonnes of waste becomes landfill each year. The immediate impact includes local pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases from waste disposal sites.
Ricoh has reaffirmed its global leadership and commitment to the environment by pioneering this new recycling programme in Australia and encouraging major customers to participate in this initiative.
Ricoh's commitment to protecting the environment is managed by Neville Cooper who holds the unique position of Quality and Environment Manager at Ricoh. Cooper comments, "At every stage, from planning, development, design, procurement and production to sales, logistics, use, recycling and disposal we offer products and services that have minimum environmental impact and give maximum consideration to safety."
Nigel Shepherd, Managing Director, Ricoh Australia comments: "We hope that the success of this Ricoh initiative will alert other manufacturers and users of toner cartridges to the benefits of recycling. A wider commitment to recycling will not only reduce landfill but also reduce the dependence on virgin plastic resins that are produced from valuable hydrocarbon resources."
Today's announcement of the roll out of the first national toner cartridge plastic recycling programme in Australia is made possible through a significant partnership agreement between Ricoh Australia and the Commonwealth Bank. The Commonwealth Bank was a foundation partner in the trial and in the first quarter close to 1,000 Commonwealth Bank branches and departments participated in the scheme, providing 1,000 kgs of fax toner cartridges and photocopier toner bottles. It is the success of this partnership that has lead Ricoh to extend the initiative across its customer base Australia wide. The programme aims to recycle more than 21,000 cartridges in the next twelve months.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
* In the six month trial period Ricoh recycled more than 3,200 toner cartridges and bottles which is equivalent to 2,500kgs of plastic
* Ricoh is the first office equipment provider in Australia to commit to a comprehensive cartridge recycling programme
* Other existing cartridge programs seek to refill cartridges for reuse. Ricoh heralds this scheme as going one step further to produce a comprehensive and permanent solution to waste.
* In July 2002, the Commonwealth Bank agreed to participate as a foundation partner in the initiative
* The Ricoh Environmental hotline for customers who have any queries or need help recycling products is 1800 803 120.
Photo opportunity - Thursday 12th December 10:00 am
The staff and children of Allambie Heights Public School install their first Ricoh recycled bench into the school grounds.
Interview opportunities
* Nigel Shepherd, Managing Director, Ricoh Australia to talk about the Ricoh initiative
* Barbara Webb, Principal of Allambie Heights Private School to talk about the impact of the bench on the school and the children's education in environmental issues.
Following a successful trial during which three park benches were donated to educational institutions, Ricoh is now set to expand the scheme in 2003.
In the Sydney area alone, more than 7 million tonnes of waste becomes landfill each year. The immediate impact includes local pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases from waste disposal sites.
Ricoh has reaffirmed its global leadership and commitment to the environment by pioneering this new recycling programme in Australia and encouraging major customers to participate in this initiative.
Ricoh's commitment to protecting the environment is managed by Neville Cooper who holds the unique position of Quality and Environment Manager at Ricoh. Cooper comments, "At every stage, from planning, development, design, procurement and production to sales, logistics, use, recycling and disposal we offer products and services that have minimum environmental impact and give maximum consideration to safety."
Nigel Shepherd, Managing Director, Ricoh Australia comments: "We hope that the success of this Ricoh initiative will alert other manufacturers and users of toner cartridges to the benefits of recycling. A wider commitment to recycling will not only reduce landfill but also reduce the dependence on virgin plastic resins that are produced from valuable hydrocarbon resources."
Today's announcement of the roll out of the first national toner cartridge plastic recycling programme in Australia is made possible through a significant partnership agreement between Ricoh Australia and the Commonwealth Bank. The Commonwealth Bank was a foundation partner in the trial and in the first quarter close to 1,000 Commonwealth Bank branches and departments participated in the scheme, providing 1,000 kgs of fax toner cartridges and photocopier toner bottles. It is the success of this partnership that has lead Ricoh to extend the initiative across its customer base Australia wide. The programme aims to recycle more than 21,000 cartridges in the next twelve months.
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors:
* In the six month trial period Ricoh recycled more than 3,200 toner cartridges and bottles which is equivalent to 2,500kgs of plastic
* Ricoh is the first office equipment provider in Australia to commit to a comprehensive cartridge recycling programme
* Other existing cartridge programs seek to refill cartridges for reuse. Ricoh heralds this scheme as going one step further to produce a comprehensive and permanent solution to waste.
* In July 2002, the Commonwealth Bank agreed to participate as a foundation partner in the initiative
* The Ricoh Environmental hotline for customers who have any queries or need help recycling products is 1800 803 120.
Photo opportunity - Thursday 12th December 10:00 am
The staff and children of Allambie Heights Public School install their first Ricoh recycled bench into the school grounds.
Interview opportunities
* Nigel Shepherd, Managing Director, Ricoh Australia to talk about the Ricoh initiative
* Barbara Webb, Principal of Allambie Heights Private School to talk about the impact of the bench on the school and the children's education in environmental issues.