Cartridge World Recycle Programme to Support Cancer Research UK

Cartridge World, the world’s largest retailer of refilled and remanufactured ink and laser printer cartridges, is teaming up with Cancer Research UK to launch a nationwide recycling programme in Cancer Research UK’s 600 shops.

From September 2010, all donors and customers can either drop off their used printer cartridges at their local Cancer Research UK shop or pick up a prepaid envelope from the shop to send their empty printer cartridges to Cartridge World.

The scheme will help raise vital funds for the charity’s work with up to £1.00 being donated by Cartridge World to the charity for every printer cartridge received.

Mark Holland, UK General Manager, Cartridge World comments: “We are delighted to form this relationship with Cancer Research UK and are looking forward to making a significant financial contribution towards the charity’s life-saving work.”

Mark adds: “We are constantly looking at opportunities to bolster our recycling message and to provide our store network with a good supply of refillable cartridges. Working with Cancer Research UK strengthens our commitment to recycling and as the scheme gets up and running, will help provide our franchisees with vital stock.”

Richard Middleton, Donated Stock Manager for Cancer Research UK said: “We are very excited about this relationship which will raise valuable funds towards our life-saving work by customers simply returning their used printer cartridges in a prepaid envelope. It’s an easy thing to do, which will make a huge impact.”

The new relationship is a positive step towards reducing the number of used printer cartridges which are needlessly thrown into landfill. It is currently estimated that over 45 million printer cartridges are sent to UK landfill sites each year*, with each cartridge taking up to 1,000 years to decompose**.  

Reflecting on these figures, Richard adds: “If our donors could help reduce this mountain of 45 million printer cartridges being needlessly thrown away each year, that could raise very significant funds for the vital research work undertaken by Cancer Research UK.

In addition, to support franchisees in the drive to increase footfall through Cartridge World’s 220 UK stores, all donors are being offered 20% off their first Cartridge World printer cartridge refill.

*UK Cartridge Remanufacture Association, 2006.
**International Imaging Technology Council, www.consumerchoice.info/faq.htm, October 2008.