05 January 2009
The Transport and Technical Services (TTS) Recycling Team has been working with the recently formed group ‘ecollection’ to develop the local toner cartridge recycling scheme which has previously been managed by the Jersey Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre (MSTC).
‘ecollection’ is a group of local businesses that have joined together to develop the scheme and increase the amount of waste recycled by the island’s business community. Their aim is to raise funds for local charities such as the MSTC and, at the same time, achieve environmental benefits for the island.
Some local suppliers of toner cartridges will collect used cartridges for recycling but as many businesses procure office goods from national and international suppliers, ecollection hope that they will offer a more convenient local solution.
Michael Driscoll of 2e2 and Chief Co-ordinator for ecollection said ‘In conjunction with the MSTC, last year our pilot scheme has already exported nearly 20 tonnes of toner cartridges for recycling but I think this is only a small percentage of the available waste stream. We hope that by providing a more reliable and convenient collection service through “ecollection” we can continue the benefits to local charities and not only the local but the global environment. We hope that other responsible businesses will be keen to support the scheme and recycle as many toner cartridges as possible”.
Any business wishing to join the scheme should contact the ecollection co-ordinating team on T: 288098 or E: ecollection@2e2.je. ecollection will provide the business with a collection box that holds approximately 30 average sized cartridges. ecollection will then collect the full box at a charge of £20 which covers some of the processing costs involved.
All cartridges will be exported to the UK for recycling to either be made into new cartridges or separated into component parts that will be recycled individually and used in the manufacture of other products. The cost of collecting and exporting the cartridges will be met by ecollection allowing all of the scheme’s revenue to be donated to local charities.
John Rive, Recycling Officer said ‘Most office waste can be recycled and it is important that local businesses take responsibility for their waste and reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible. Toner cartridges are a key waste stream for many businesses and can contain potentially toxic residues so this project is exciting as it helps local businesses, local charities and the environment at the same time.’
As several solutions are available to local businesses wishing to dispose of toner cartridges, TTS are no longer accepting toner cartridges at their commercial waste facility at Bellozanne. Householders will still be able to deliver cartridges to the Recycling Centre where ecollection will be collecting them free of charge.
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