Sharp Enhances Copier Toner Recycling Program

From Buyers Lab.

March 28, 2008 - Sharp recently announced that it has expanded its Toner Cartridge Recycling Program to include Sharp toner from all Sharp models, including MFPs. According to Sharp, users go to www.sharpusa.com/recycle and enter the type of shipping method they wish to use (a bulk container for up to 10 toner cartridges, the original toner box or the customer’s own packaging), the type of Sharp model, the estimated weight of the package, and basic contact information.

Customers then print out the shipping label to place on the package. The recycled toner can then be picked up by UPS or dropped off at the nearest UPS location, where it will be shipped to one of three recycling centers nationwide. For those with bulk orders, cartons made of recycled cardboard are sent via UPS. Sharp’s recycling Web site says that this service is only for Sharp toner products and that Sharp will charge customers for all costs associated with the shipping and recycling of any non-Sharp product received.

Sharp has been recycling printer toner cartridges since the early 1990s, and has provided recycling of MFP and copier toner cartridges on a case-by-case basis as requested by end users, according to the company. Sharp sent shipping labels to requestors and arranged for cartridges to be recycled by a third-party recycling center. The new program enables customers to print their own labels and ship the cartridges directly to the recycler.

According to Mike Marusic, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America’s vice president of marketing, Sharp is expanding its recycling program because of the global push toward more environmentally friendly business practices. “Government and corporate customers are requiring that equipment manufacturers provide equipment that has been deemed ‘green,’ said Marusic. “The interpretation of this is broad based and can range from ENERGY STAR compliance to having met all of EPA's EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) criteria. Sharp has chosen to do our part by providing a toner recycling program for all MFP, copier and printer cartridges sold in the US. In addition, having a formalized program will enable dealers to encourage their customers to recycle.”

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