Toner cartridges

Introduction

The manufacture, use and disposal of office equipment and toner cartridges contributes to air emissions, water pollution, use of toxic materials and the generation of hazardous and other wastes.

Obsolete office equipment, toner cartridges and other electronic goods are an increasing part of the waste stream. For example, more than 1.5 million toner cartridges are thrown away in Australia each year, resulting in about 1,500 tonnes of plastic waste.

In addition, packaging around new office equipment and toner cartridges often ends up in landfill.

The NSW Government buys large quantities of office equipment. Annually the NSW Government agencies spend on supply contracts about:

• $100 million on personal computers
• $30 million on photocopiers
• $12.5 million on printers and consumables
• $4.8 million on fax machines.

Many types of office equipment and toner cartridges can be recycled or reused, some several times. Recycling or reusing these materials allows for more efficient use of valuable resources, reduces the cost of waste disposal and helps protect the environment.

By purchasing recycled toner cartridges you also help to encourage and create sustainable markets for recycled content products in NSW.

Buy

Research what types of machines and consumables are being purchased by your organisation. This helps identify where refurbished or recycled content products can be used. Your IT section can help here.

Ask the manufacturer of your machines if they use recycled or remanufactured toner cartridges. If purchasing cartridges from a third party, make sure they are compatible with your machine and come with a warranty. Some machine manufacturers may say warranties or service guarantees associated with their machine will be voided if you use recycled cartridges. Check this with the machine manufacturer before purchasing or contact NSW Supply for information. Recycled cartridges and paper are available on government contract (contact NSW Supply for details).

When replacing equipment ask potential suppliers if their machines are recyclable, and can take recycled cartridges and recycled content paper. If not, ask them to find alternatives or consider switching to another supplier.

Packaging can be a major source of waste, especially plastic, polystyrene and cardboard. Ask for low waste packaging or packaging that can be more easily recycled (e.g. cardboard packing pellets instead of polystyrene). Ask your supplier if they can reuse packaging.

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Use

Extend the life of your office equipment by avoiding unnecessary printing or photocopying. Having large print runs professionally photocopied or printed will avoid excessive wear and tear on office machines.

Keeping maintenance schedules up-to-date and ensuring staff know how to use and look after expensive machines will extend the machine’s life.

Long-life cartridges with additional paper yield are available. Ask your supplier if they are available for your office machines.

Excessive printing of graphics, pictures or images will significantly reduce toner life due to higher page coverage. Keep this type of printing to a minimum.

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Recover

‘Recovery’ is where equipment, cartridges or other valuable materials normally sent to landfill are reused or recycled.

Find out what happens to the obsolete or used machines from your agency at the end of their useful life. Can they be returned to the manufacturer to be refurbished? Will recyclers accept them? Alternatively, you could donate older but functioning machines to charities or sell them at auction.

Many suppliers, manufacturers and charities run cartridge return programs. Ask your supplier if they offer this service and request supply boxes to put used cartridges in or envelopes to mail them back.

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