Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa works with businesses , offering document services such as printers , copiers , multi-functional printers ( MFPs ) and print solutions . The vendor delivers products and services that delight its channel partners and end user customers and takes the ‘ customer-first ’ principle as its top priority . For more than 20 years , Kyocera has minimised environmental impact by developing longlife , low-waste printers and multifunctional products .
AFRICA
REGIONAL CHANNELS
AFRICA
KYOCERA ’ S CARTRIDGE RECYCLING PROJECT GROWS RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY VEGETABLE GARDEN
Engineering and mining contractor Murray & Roberts is leading the charge as a responsible recycler , in response to a call made by Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa ( KDZA ) and Carbon Footprint Recycling , to reduce e-waste by recycling empty toner cartridges and waste toner bottles .
The project encourages companies to send a participation request to Kyocera and agree to an administration fee . In return , they receive a recycling bin and a plastic liner to collect all makes of used printer cartridges . Once the bin is full , the organisation requests collection and the liner is swapped for a new one .
In turn , Carbon Footprint Recycling turns the cartridges into concrete-based planter boxes and other items , that can be used by the participating organisations , or donated to community projects . Importantly , the toners and plastic toner cartridges are safely diverted from landfill .
To date , Carbon Footprint Recycling has collected 3,647 Kyocera cartridges , amounting to 13,585 kilogrammes of recycled material that has been turned into planters , benches and pavers .
Fergus Slattery , Director , Carbon Footprint Recycling , said : “ We can ’ t think that when we throw things away , they are gone . They have to go somewhere and I wanted to find a sustainable way of creating reuse of printer cartridges , because putting them into the dustbin is not an option . When we proposed a recycling concept to Kyocera , an exciting partnership was born .”
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 , Johannesburg as part of the school ’ s vegetable growing project .
“ The planter boxes will be used to grow seedlings that will later be transplanted to raised tyre gardens for further growth ,” said Leonor Ngozi , Principal , Ithembelihle School . “ Most of the day scholars arrive at school without having had breakfast . Healthy meals are important for building and boosting the learners ’ immune systems , particularly those who are on chronic medication . We are so excited about this project and wish more companies would be involved , so that we can expand our garden to be able to send vegetables home with learners , as well .”
For Murray & Roberts , the project plays into its on-going corporate social investment and drive to closely monitor the company ’ s carbon footprint , said Hilton Currie , Chief Information Officer , Murray & Roberts .
Prior to its participation in the 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 .
Paul Wendlandt , Customer Services Support Manager , Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa , said : “ Consumption of toner is on-going , and the volume of waste is increasing . How we treat toner waste today is important , both for corporate citizenship and the environment . We need to start changing our habits and finding useful things to do with this waste . That ’ s why we are encouraging businesses to participate in our recycle , reduce and reuse programme .” •
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS Issue 41 33