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More than a million printer cartridges in storage with Planet Ark recycling scheme on pause More than a million printer cartridges in storage with Planet Ark recycling scheme on pause
(36 minutes later)
The pause follows a fire at a Melbourne recycling facility, which is also linked the closure of Coles and Woolworths soft plastics recyclingThe pause follows a fire at a Melbourne recycling facility, which is also linked the closure of Coles and Woolworths soft plastics recycling
More than one million used printer cartridges returned as part of a Planet Ark recycling program are being held in storage until at least the middle of next year. More than 1m used printer cartridges returned as part of a Planet Ark recycling program are being held in storage until at least the middle of next year.
Planet Ark has told the Guardian the printer cartridges can’t currently be recycled because of a June fire at a recycling facility in Melbourne.Planet Ark has told the Guardian the printer cartridges can’t currently be recycled because of a June fire at a recycling facility in Melbourne.
That same fire that has paused recycling at Close the Loop’s Somerton facility was also partially blamed for the closing this week of a major soft plastic recycling scheme backed by Coles and Woolworths. That same fire that has paused recycling at Close the Loop’s Somerton facility was also partly blamed for the closing this week of a major soft plastic recycling scheme backed by Coles and Woolworths.
REDcycle, which co-ordinates the collection of those soft plastics, said yesterday that Close the Loop would start accepting its soft plastics again by “early to mid-next year when their processing lines are operational again.” REDcycle, which coordinates the collection of those soft plastics, said Wednesday Close the Loop would start accepting its soft plastics again by “early to mid next year when their processing lines are operational again.”
The Guardian understands about 12,000 tonnes of soft plastic has been stockpiled.The Guardian understands about 12,000 tonnes of soft plastic has been stockpiled.
Planet Ark said the public and businesses should continue to return printer cartridges as normal and said all the stored cartridges would eventually be recycled. Planet Ark said the public and businesses should continue to return printer cartridges as normal and that all the stored cartridges would eventually be recycled.
A Planet Ark statement said: “Unfortunately, Close the Loop experienced a fire at their Melbourne-based recycling facility in June 2022, which has temporarily limited their ability to recycle.A Planet Ark statement said: “Unfortunately, Close the Loop experienced a fire at their Melbourne-based recycling facility in June 2022, which has temporarily limited their ability to recycle.
“There are currently 1.1 million cartridges being stored by Close the Loop, all of which will be recycled with the reopening of their recycling facility in 2023. Cartridges will continue to be collected and safely stored until the plant reopens, which is expected to be mid-2023.” “There are currently 1.1m cartridges being stored by Close the Loop, all of which will be recycled with the reopening of their recycling facility in 2023. Cartridges will continue to be collected and safely stored until the plant reopens, which is expected to be mid-2023.”
Since Cartridges 4 Planet Ark was launched in 2003, some 50.6m cartridges have been recycled “with zero waste to landfill,” the not-for-profit organisation said. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup
Planet Ark said: “Close the Loop is the only cartridge recycling processor in Australia with a zero waste to landfill capability proven over many years of operation. This zero waste to landfill promise remains the environmental commitment of the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program.” Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup
Since Cartridges 4 Planet Ark was launched in 2003, about 50.6m cartridges have been recycled “with zero waste to landfill”, the not-for-profit organisation said.
“Close the Loop is the only cartridge recycling processor in Australia with a zero waste-to-landfill capability proven over many years of operation. This zero waste-to-landfill promise remains the environmental commitment of the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program,”Planet Ark said
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Close the Loop uses both soft plastics and the toner powder from ink cartridges to make an additive for road asphalt called TonerPlas.Close the Loop uses both soft plastics and the toner powder from ink cartridges to make an additive for road asphalt called TonerPlas.
But a fire at the Somerton facility’s TonerPlas manufacturing line in June has paused production.But a fire at the Somerton facility’s TonerPlas manufacturing line in June has paused production.
In a statement to the ASK yesterday, Close the Loop said: “The supply of TonerPlas… is on track to resume full production by mid-2023, with a fourfold increase in the scale of the operation.” In a statement to the ASX yesterday, Close the Loop said: “The supply of TonerPlas … is on track to resume full production by mid-2023, with a fourfold increase in the scale of the operation.”
Recycling experts have said the problems for REDcycle reveal a broader issue with a lack of local manufacturing options for collected recyclable materials.Recycling experts have said the problems for REDcycle reveal a broader issue with a lack of local manufacturing options for collected recyclable materials.
Close the Loop said the company “reiterates the need for ongoing evolution in the local collection and recycling industry that uses multiple collection, recycling and reuse options as part of a diverse circular economy.”Close the Loop said the company “reiterates the need for ongoing evolution in the local collection and recycling industry that uses multiple collection, recycling and reuse options as part of a diverse circular economy.”