New Zealand Celsias

Croxley Stationery’s profitable recycling business unit Croxley Recycling (formerly Toner Recycling Centre or TRC) has gained Environmental Choice accreditation for its toner and printer recycling operation. 

Croxley Recycling has more than 14,000 active cartridge collection points throughout New Zealand, which is supported by six collection centres. It operates cartridge collection and recycling schemes on behalf of original equipment manufacturers (OEM). This initiative assists the OEMs towards achieving their overall environmental goals.

The NZ Ecolabelling Trust, which administers the Government’s Environmental Choice label, has implemented the new specification with significant input from Croxley, designed to divert some 200 tonnes of waste annually from landfill.

Robin Taylor, General Manager of the NZ Ecolabelling Trust, says he is delighted that Croxley has become the first company to receive the Environmental Choice seal for its toner cartridge recycling service.

Manager, Croxley Recycling, Wayne Grieve, says having the Environmental Choice label means consumers can be confident products are being recycled following strict criteria throughout the process. It will also assist the consumer in making an informed choice knowing which Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) take their recycling responsibilities seriously.

“Not only do we recycle what we collect, we also recycle all product used throughout the process including cardboard collection boxes, packaging, plastics, pallets and plastic strapping.”

The accreditation comes as Croxley Recycling expands from recycling imaging consumables, such as toner cartridges, into full-scale printer dismantling and recycling, a move which will potentially double the size of the business unit and create 10 new full time jobs.

Robin Taylor, General Manager of the NZ Ecolabelling Trust, says “Croxley is the first company to meet the new specification that aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of empty imaging consumables upon the waste stream.

“It is estimated that more than three tonnes per week of used cartridges are sent to landfill in New Zealand. Every printer and copier cartridge that is recycled can divert up to 1.5 kilograms away from landfill. In addition, re-use of a cartridge saves up to 3.5 litres of oil that it is estimated is necessary to make a single new cartridge.”

Robin Taylor says that prior to the formation of the new Environmental Choice specification the tests and claims for toner recycling were varied and sometimes vague. 

“Croxley has stepped up to the plate with a well thought out, measurable, and well-documented service.  They will be accepting all brands of used consumables, regardless of age or value, and will provide collection from commercial premises. 

“This will even extend to systems for collection from residential premises or collection points within defined areas.  There is a stipulation that the collection service be either free, or have only a minimal charge, so there is a real emphasis on providing a comprehensive and accessible service.”