Recycling
Canon Cartridge Recycling Programme
Did you know that Canon was the first company to launch a toner cartridge recycling programme back in 1990?
Recycling
Canon Cartridge Recycling Programme
About
Canon’s toner cartridge recycling programme provides you with a free, easy and environmentally responsible way to recycle your empty Canon toner cartridges. Did you know that Canon has been operating a cartridge recycling programme since 1990?
Canon is committed to a no waste to landfill policy. Each element of every returned cartridge is reused or recycled - be it as a component in a new cartridge, as a base material in other industries, or as a substitute for fossil fuels. No part of the cartridge is sent to landfill.
STORY SO FAR
FACTS & FIGURES
We conduct used toner cartridge collection in 23 countries and regions (with a cumulative collection volume of about 444,000 tons as of the end of 2021) for recycling at four sites, in Japan, the United States, Europe, and China (recycling in the same region where the product is used). Thanks to our toner recycling initiatives, as of 2021 we have achieved a cumulative reduction in the use of new resources of approximately 314,000 tons. We also offer bespoke recycling solutions for toner bottles and Canon Professional print consumables.
FACTS & FIGURES
Canon has also been collecting and recycling used ink cartridges since 1996. As of the end of 2021, Canon’s collecting program was operational in 35 countries and regions worldwide, and the total volume of cartridges that had been collected up to the end of 2021 reached 2,616 tons.
FACTS & FIGURES
As a result of these actions between 2008 and 2021, we have taken 42,413 tons of plastics from used products for recycling as raw materials, and another 33,619 tons of products and parts were reused directly.
We are honoured to be recognised by the following awards:
2021
The UK’s largest sustainability awards recognise excellence across the spectrum of green business
2021
The EcoVadis Rating reviews companies across a number of areas that are key to meeting sustainable targets, including the environment, labour & human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement impacts.
2021
The Business Green Leaders CE Awards businesses who push green business principles and clean technologies into the mainstream
2019
Edie’s Sustainability Leaders Awards is the UK’s largest and most prestigious sustainability awards and recognises excellence across the spectrum of green business
The history of cartridge recycling
1982-1992
In 1982 Canon launches the world’s first personal copying machines with an all-in-one cartridge system. Eight years later, in 1990, the Canon Toner Cartridge Recycling Programme is launched in the USA, Japan and Germany. In 1992 Canon starts closed-loop plastic recycling and wins the Grand Prize at Global Environmental Awards.
1997-2002
In 1997 Canon starts recycling cartridges at Canon Bretagne in France and 2 years later, in 1999, the recycling programme is launched in three more European countries. In 2002 Canon expands the programme to 10 countries in Europe.
2003-2009
In 2003 Canon achieves ‘no waste to landfill’ for toner cartridge recycling. In 2008 the recycling programme is increased to 12 countries, and a web-based cartridge return process is launched. During the same year, the collection volume of cartridges reaches 200,000 tonnes. The following year, in 2009, Finland and Sweden launch bulk cartridge recycling.
2011-2013
In 2011, the number of European countries where Canon offers a toner cartridge recycling programme increases to 18. The next year, in 2012, the global collection volume of toner cartridges reaches 300,000 tonnes. In 2013 Canon Bretagne introduces an entirely new materials recycling process.