Kyocera’s cartridge recycling project grows resources for community vegetable garden
Consumption of toner is ongoing and the volume of waste is increasing which is why we are stoked about changing our habits and finding useful things to do with this waste. As the first company to sign up to our recycling project, engineering and mining contractor Murray & Roberts is leading the charge as a responsible recycler.
The project launched by Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa (KDZA) and Carbon Footprint Recycling is aimed to reduce e-waste by recycling empty toner cartridges and waste toner bottles. Carbon Footprint Recycling has collected 3647 Kyocera cartridges, amounting to 13 585kg of recycled material that has been turned into planters, benches and pavers.
As the first company to sign up, Murray & Roberts has collected and recycled 148kg in cartridges and recently donated 16 planters to Ithembelihle School in Germiston, Gauteng as part of the school’s vegetable growing project.
The principal at the school told us that the planter boxes will be used to grow seedlings that will later be transplanted to raised tyre gardens for further growth. Whilst the current focus is on giving the learners a healthy daily meal, they dream about expanding the garden to be able to send vegetables home with learners, as well.
For Murray & Roberts, the project plays into its ongoing corporate social investment and drive to closely monitor its carbon footprint.
Prior to its participation in this project, Murray & Roberts would have to store used cartridges, which would take up a lot of space, before cartridge disposal was arranged, which in itself was a costly procedure. By recycling its printer cartridges, the company saves time, money and storage space, while also giving something back to the community.
How we treat toner waste today is important, both for corporate citizenship and the environment, which is why we are encouraging businesses to participate in our recycle, reduce and reuse programme.”
For more information, email collections@dza.kyocera.co.za, or call +27 (0)11 595 2711.
Paul Wendlandt - Customer Services Support Manager - KYOCERA Document Solutions South Africa
