HP increases cartridge shredding

HP has announced an expansion of its “closed loop” recycling operations, making use of Lavergne Group’s new Vietnam based recycling facility, reports Wide Format Online.

The extra capacity for recycling may fuel an increase in the OEM’s cartridge collection operations, which in turn could place further strain on the supply of empty cartridges for the aftermarket.

The cartridges are shredded to their component parts, and the plastic is treated and reused in new HP products.

The process, known as “upcycling”, is said by HP to be more environmental than most other kinds of recycling, as most of the material is returned to the same level of use, rather than “downcycled” into an inferior plastic for use in areas like construction material.

Critics however often point out that the process still uses much more energy than remanufacturing, and HP recently announced that it had manufactured 1 billion cartridges using this method.

The two companies have worked together to recycle cartridges in this manner for 12 years, with Lavergne recycling cartridges collected in HP’s Planet Partners scheme.

Annukka Dickens, Head of Environmental Management, Asia Pacific and Japan, HP, commented: “We are excited to grow our collaboration with Lavergne in ‘closed loop’ ink cartridge recycling, which will help our customers who are using Original HP Ink reduce their impact on the environment.

“This year, HP has achieved a truly significant milestone, with 1 billion Original HP Ink cartridges manufactured using the ‘closed loop’ recycling process.”

Mr Jean-Luc Lavergne, President, Lavergne Group, added:  “We are proud to continue to work closely with HP, who demonstrates a strong commitment to the environment through continued recycling innovation that enables users of Original HP Ink to reduce their environmental impact.”

source