The Effects and Results of Recycling
The toner cartridges collected by Canon weigh a total of some 287,000 metric tons.* Through this toner cartridge recycling program, we have achieved a cumulative reduction in the use of new resources of 185,000 tons and reduced CO2 emissions by 430,000 tons.
- *Figures are results for 2011.
Saving 90 Space Shuttles' Worth of Resources
By recycling toner cartridges, we reduce the amount of new material that must be used. In the course of over 20 years of recycling, we have reduced our resource usage by a total of approximately 185,000 metric tons.*1 This is equivalent to the material that would be required to build some 90 brand-new Space Shuttles.*2
- *1Figures are results for 2011.
- *2Calculations are based on one Space Shuttle weighing 2,041 metric tons, including its payload.
Efficient Use of Resources to Reduce CO2 Emissions
Making more efficient use of resources leads to a reduction of the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. Over 20 years we have achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions of some 430,000 metric tons.*1,2 Our recycling activities, which begin with a single toner cartridge, bring about a range of effects in the end.
- *1Figures are results for 2011.
- *2This figure represents the difference between the emissions that would be produced by all processes from extraction of source materials to final disposal and the emissions produced by reusing or recycling parts and material from recovered products.
Localized Recycling to Reduce CO2 Emissions
Canon's fundamental approach is to recycle toner cartridges in the regions where they have been consumed. This not only allows us to carry out our recycling activities in a responsible manner in each region, but also lets us reduce transport-related CO2 emissions in our operations.
