SUPPORTING THE ENVIRONMENT
In 2006 approximately 120 million laser toner and inkjet cartridges were sold throughout Europe. Regrettably, only about 25% of these units were recovered for re-use (the preferred EU recycling solution). Each year, K2 operations prevent approximately 2,500 tonnes of printer consumables entering the waste stream.
Whilst the collection and re-sale of used printer cartridges is a commercial activity, the benefit to the environment is incontrovertible.
Even more so, the remanufacturers (our customers) who produce cartridges close the loop. The re-use of the plastic and metal within the cartridge means one less all-new cartridge is manufactured by the original equipment manufacturer. It is estimated that it takes about half a litre of crude oil to make one toner cartridge.
Remanufactured cartridges are the result of a full loop recycling solution!
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) programmes tend to be limited in that they only accept their branded cartridges and not those of other manufacturers. They also limit the range of their own product which can be returned under their programmes.The user does not want to hold separate stocks of empties for each brand of printer / fax machine they use! Companies like K2 Supplies offer a solution for all brands of printer cartridge and provide a re-use solution for over 80% of units collected as opposed to the recycling / re-processing solution offered by many OEM’s.
OUR OWN COMMITTMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT
K2 is committed to an environmental & sustainability policy supported by our ISO14001 objectives for improving environmental performance. Current activities include:
In 2009 we were the first Recycling company to be awarded the Carbon Trust Standard which is awarded to companies who measure, manage and reduce their own carbon footprint, following rigorous, independent scrutiny. By cutting our carbon emmissions, we are committed to reducing our impact on climate change.
Copies of our Environmental Policy and Waste Carriers License are available in the K2 Document Centre.
