Collection and Recycling of Ink Cartridge and Others
Ink Cartridge Recycling
Initiatives in Japan
Canon led the industry in launching a recycling program for ink cartridges in Japan in 1996. We have subsequently placed particular emphasis on advancing our materials recycling.
After the recovered ink cartridges are disassembled into constituent parts according to material composition, they are reused effectively as recycled materials or fuel, rather than being treated as landfill waste. Some of the recycled materials are reused in ink cartridges through the "closed-loop recycling system." The remainder is reused as pallets for stacking products, boxes for collecting service parts, and for other applications.
In addition, we have focused on recovery for recycling of ink cartridges through collection points at post offices, mass retailers,companies that use Canon products, schools and other locations.
The Recycling Process
Used Ink Cartridge Collection Volume (Cumulative)
The Ink Cartridge Satogaeri* (Homecoming) Project
To boost ink cartridge collection amounts, it has been necessary for Canon to supplement its own collection points with common collection points in cooperation with other printer manufacturers.
Canon took the initiative in approaching five other companies to cooperatively launch the "Ink Cartridge Satogaeri* (Homecoming) Project" in 2007. Joint collection commenced in April 2008 through common collection boxes for the six companies installed in more than 3,600 post offices throughout Japan. This project has brought greater convenience to customers, and boosted collection volume.
The collected cartridges are sent by Yu-Pack parcel mailing service to a sorting site, where they are divided by printer manufacturer and returned to their original producer, who bears the responsibility for recycling. In recognition of these efforts, in 2011 we were awarded the Superiority Prize at the 13th Green Purchasing Network Awards.
In July 2009, Kitakyushu City Office and its municipal ward offices became the first government offices to act as collection points. Afterwards, a number of other local governments announced their participation, steadily expanding the collection activities. As of the end of April 2012, 151 local governments were participating, with the number of collection points reaching about 1,900.
Ink cartridge collection boxes installed at post offices and other facilities
Support for the SATOYAMA Initiative Through the Satogaeri Project
Canon is working with Ink Cartridge Satogaeri (Homecoming) Project partner companies as well as with Japan's Ministry of the Environment and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies to support the SATOYAMA Initiative.
The SATOYAMA Initiative seeks to achieve communities in harmony with nature that benefit both humanity and biodiversity by preserving and developing the satoyama, which in Japan is farmland that people have developed and maintained sustainably since ancient times. The Initiative has extended its activities to include biodiversity-conscious restoration of regions impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
Six companies, including Canon, began supporting the International Partnership for the SATOYAMA Initiative (IPSI) in October 2011. One yen is committed to the Initiative for every ink cartridge collected through the Ink Cartridge Satogaeri (Homecoming) Project, and the amount accumulated is donated every six months.
The first donation under this scheme, representing funds collected through March 2011, was around \800,000. This money was used to cover the costs of a commemorative film concerning the disaster and restoration efforts in the Kirikiri area of Otsuchicho in Iwate Prefecture. Donations will be used to support projects for restoration of satoyama and satoumi (ancient sustained aquaculture systems) in areas impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake, such as the Tohoku Green Renaissance Project of the Tohoku University Ecosystem Adaptability Global COE for biodiversity-conscious restoration, in cooperation with IPSI members both inside and outside Japan.
Bellmark Foundation's Educational Support Activities
Since 2005, Canon has conducted ink and toner cartridge collection activities at schools. Through these measures, we cooperate with Bellmark Foundation's educational support activities, promote environmental protection and education, and contribute to local communities. During the years of our collaboration with the Bellmark Foundation, the number of schools participating has risen steadily, to around 15,000 schools as of the end of May 2012.
Booklet introducing the Bellmark Foundation's educational support activities
Initiatives outside Japan
Canon has also recycled ink cartridges outside Japan since 1998. Collected cartridges are reused through materials recycling and other means to reduce waste generation.
As of the end of April 2012, countries and regions in which collection and recycling were underway included the United States, England, Germany, France, Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India and Indonesia.
Collection points vary by country, but boxes have been established in mass retail and other cooperating outlets, shopping malls, companies, schools, stations, and Canon service centers and showrooms. Ink cartridges can also be returned to Canon by mail in certain regions, ensuring that the methodology of the campaign is considerate of customer convenience.
In order to promote global environmental protection and the effective use of resources, we plan aggressive expansion of the number of countries covered by these initiatives.
Australia
Taiwan
India
Expanding ink cartridge collection coverage areas outside Japan
We broadly expanded the number of used ink cartridge collection points outside Japan in 2011.
In the United States, we joined with Fedex Office, a large office services chain, in an agreement to have Canon inkjet cartridges collected at their approximately 1,600 locations.
In Europe, we began cartridge collection in England and Germany in addition to France. We will continue to increase our collection points in Europe in 2012.
Our efforts in Asia included the launch, through the cooperation of five printer manufacturers, of the Singapore version of the Ink Cartridge Satogaeri (Homecoming) Project, which is already underway in Japan.
Ink Cartridge Satogaeri (Homecoming) Project in Singapore
Collection and Recycling of Small Secondary Batteries
Small secondary rechargeable batteries are used in many Canon products, such as digital cameras and video recorders.
According to the 2001 Japanese Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources (Revised Recycling Law), manufacturers of batteries or equipment utilizing batteries are required to collect and recycle used small secondary batteries.
Canon has partnered with Japan Portable Rechargeable Battery Recycling Center (JBRC), Ltd., a general incorporated association, to cooperate in the industry's efforts to promote battery collection and recycling. Customers are also prompted to visit our Web site as a way to improve collection rates.
Canon is also joining in similar collection and recycling efforts outside Japan; for example, by becoming a member of the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) in the United States.
We will continue to develop such activities.
Recycling Containers and Packaging Materials
In accordance with relevant laws and ordinances, Canon provides appropriate labeling on containers and packaging materials that encourages customers to engage in separation and hence facilitate recycling.
Canon has joined the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association, a public interest incorporated foundation, to cooperate in the recycling of these items.
Canon also works to minimize container volume to reduce the volume of discarded containers and packaging materials, including outside Japan.
We will continue to make efforts in this area.
