Canon U.S.A. introduces new printer cartridge recycling program

Canon Pixma printer users can now drop off empty genuine Pixma inkjet cartridges at more than 1,600 FedEx Office Print and Ship Centers across the United States. From FedEx Office locations, cartridges will be consolidated by Sims Recycling Solutions, who specialize in the large-scale processing of electronic waste. After being consolidated by SIMS Recycling, the Genuine Canon ink cartridges go to Close the Loop, a "material recovery" company specializing in the recycling of inkjet cartridges. This program will be free of cost to all Canon consumers.

The recycling program will tie into the Canon Generation Green initiative that focuses on helping to reduce the environmental burdens in all stages of a product’s lifecycle. Generation Green is designed to provide business partners, customers and consumers a way to identify and learn about the various eco-conscious features and solutions that Canon has to offer, including possible cost savings through energy efficiency.

In addition, components from the recycled cartridges can be turned into materials for other products. Close the Loop’s innovative products include felt-tip pens and markers made from inkjet plastics and inks; industrial colorants made from recycled ink; recovered metals that can be recycled into new steel and aluminum ingots; and scrap plastics that can be turned into the company’s synthetic "eLumber" and various eLumber products.