Brother launches industry first recycling scheme

PRESS RELEASE
1 April 2008

Brother launches industry first recycling initiative

Brother International (NZ) Limited is launching a comprehensive recycling initiative for its printers and consumables that is believed to be an industry first for the printing and imaging industry.

Brother’s recycling scheme will seek to recover used Brother branded consumables and hardware from not only the corporate market, but also from home users.

Executive Chairman of Brother International (NZ) Limited Graham Walshe says no other company in the sector locally at least, is taking such a comprehensive approach.

“We will attach freepost consumable recycling bags to all inkjet multifunction and entry level mono laser cartons that leave Brother’s Lower Hutt warehouse from the 1st of April 2008 onwards,” he said.

“These bags will accommodate used ink cartridges, toners and drums and can be sent by freepost back to a recycling facility”.

“Similarly, Brother corporate customers can request either a small or large consumables collection box to hold on their premises to collect used consumables.

“Again this service is entirely free to the business with replacement boxes delivered and full boxes collected without charge.

“Also from 1 April we will be offering a printer recycling service to both homes and businesses.

“Brother’s nationwide service network now also doubles as drop-off points for members of the public who wish to bring in their old Brother printers for environmentally sound disposal. The providers who offer this service are listed on the Brother website and again there is no charge to the consumer.

“Brother corporate customers who wish to dispose of old printers need only contact their account manager and request machines be collected. Again this service is free to the customer and Brother arranges collection,” he said.

Graham Walshe has driven the need for a comprehensive recycling scheme with the aim of bringing Brother’s Global Corporate Social Responsibility charter to life. Brother obtained the internationally recognised ISO14001 Environmental Accreditation in 2007 and sees the addition of a full recycling programme that reaches not only businesses, but also homes, as both a moral and commercial duty.

“The Toner Recycling Centre will carry out the recycling of consumables while Remarkit Solutions will recycle printers. Both providers are award winners in the recycling field and are proud supporters of the zero waste movement,” he said.

“Brother’s website www.brother.co.nz will carry instructions on how homes and businesses can take advantage of Brother’s recycling initiative and “our challenge” to New Zealand will be highlighted in a year long TV campaign beginning late April that will educate the public on Brother’s offering,” he said.

“Everyone at Brother and our partner suppliers in this venture are genuinely excited about what this will mean as a move to reduce our industry’s environmental impact on New Zealand and we believe that many in the electronics industry will feel compelled to follow Brother’s lead. This is our positive contribution to the growing momentum in the understanding in New Zealand of the ethics of recycling and the associated benefits to our country and future generations,” Graham Walshe said.

Background information on Brother:
Brother International (NZ) Limited is a well know manufacturer of printing and imaging products to the home and business markets and has been operating in New Zealand now for 50 years and globally for 100 years

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