One million Konica Minolta printer cartridges recycled

Printing company Konica Minolta Australia has announced a major recycling milestone. Through its partnership with Cartridges 4 Planet Ark and its recycling partner Close the Loop, one million Konica Minolta printer cartridges have been recycled, diverting them from landfill and saving a total of over 600 tonnes of waste.

Dr David Cooke, managing director at Konica Minolta Australia, said the company is “committed to reducing our environmental impact” and thus “extremely pleased” to have reached the one million cartridge milestone.

Dr Cooke (left) on a tour of the Close the Loop factory.

“Konica Minolta works hard to be a sustainable company by measuring, minimising and managing our carbon emissions,” Dr Cooke said.

“Meaningful partnerships with cartridge collection initiatives like Close the Loop and Cartridges 4 Planet Ark are of vital importance as we look for innovative ways to divert business waste.

“Diverting landfill and reducing greenhouse emissions from used toner cartridges are just one of the ways our organisation is making a positive and meaningful contribution to the environment and our community.

Striving towards corporate excellence, Konica Minolta Australia’s environmental and sustainability policy supports its global vision to reduce CO₂ emissions by 80% by 2050. Currently, 92% of all Konica Minolta machines are recycled at the end of their life cycle via e-Sims recycling. All toner bottles and other consumables are recycled via Close the Loop, who in turn reverts this e-waste into a range of innovative products like eWood park benches and raised garden beds.

Dr Cooke on an eWood park bench made entirely of recycled material.

The company’s business machines are said to be more energy efficient, use less toner and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than ever before.

In addition to Konica Minolta’s partnership with Close the Loop and Planet Ark, it is also an official corporate supporter of Landcare Australia and works with the community, government and business to protect and repair Australia’s natural resources. The company was also recently named on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for the fifth consecutive year.