City of Ryde residents can ease the e-waste (electronic waste) epidemic currently facing the nation by thoughtfully disposing of used printer cartridges.
‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ the innovative recycling program provides City of Ryde residents with a free and easy way to recycle their used printer cartridges.
“The frequent upgrading of electronic equipment has led to an e-waste surplus mainly consisting of old and unused computers, mobile phones and printer cartridges that can harm the environment if not disposed of correctly,” says Emily Doyle, Council’s Waste Education Officer. “The City of Ryde encourages all residents to alleviate the e-waste epidemic by recycling their e-waste.”
Through its free collection service, ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ has diverted more than 6.3 million printer cartridges from landfill, and in the last 12 months has increased its nationwide return rate by 27%.
“This is a wonderful result for the environment. 6.3 million printer cartridges equates to more than 3,000 tonnes of potentially hazardous material that has been spared from landfill,” says Emily Doyle.
Printer cartridges are complex items made of plastics and metals that do not break down. The chemicals they contain can be hazardous to the environment if left to deteriorate in landfill.
Using patented Australian technology, ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ ensures zero-waste to landfill. A large proportion of the cartridges are returned to the original manufacturer for their own component recovery programs. The remaining cartridge waste components are recycled, with some of the plastic being used to produce eWood™ - a timber replacement product used to make items such as outdoor furniture, fencing and garden edging.
Used printer cartridges of any brand or type can be dropped into a ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ collection box at participating Australia Post, Officeworks, Harvey Norman, Tandy or Dick Smith Electronics and PowerHouse stores as well as the foyer of the City of Ryde Civic Centre.
To find your nearest retail drop off location, visit www.RecyclingNearYou.com.au or call the ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ hotline on 1800 24 24 73.
Media contact: Lee Kirkland, City of Ryde, 9952 8083
