Staples Offers Online Ink- and Toner-Cartridge Recycling

On November 25th, office-supply superstore Staples announced the launch of an online ink and toner recycling program. The online program is an expansion of the existing, in store Staples Rewards ink and toner recycling program.

The online program enables Staples Rewards members to recycle empty ink and toner cartridges by printing a pre-paid shipping label to send their cartridges in for recycling and receive $2 back in Staples Rewards for each one.

“This is a huge win for Staples as we make it easy for Staples Rewards members to choose how they want to recycle their ink and toner cartridges,” commented Mark Buckley, vice president of  Environment for Staples. “Whether they choose to recycle in-store or, now, online, they have one more opportunity to save on future purchases while reducing waste.”

Earlier this year, Staples announced that it has recycled 350 million ink and toner cartridges since 2005, averaging over 60 million cartridges per year in the past three years. Through the cartridge recycling program, Staples says it’s recycled 182 million pounds of plastics and metals, roughly the equivalent weight of an aircraft carrier or 400 times the Statue of Liberty.

Staples’ in-store electronics recycling program has a goal of recycling 40 million pounds of e-waste globally each year by 2020. Since 2007, Staples has recycled 64 million pounds of electronic waste.

For the convenience and transparency of their program, collection volumes and commitment to using certified and responsible recyclers, Staples received the highest grade in the Electronics Takeback Coalition’s Retail Recycling Report Card.

Staples is also the only national retailer who is an e-Stewards Enterprise, meaning that it is committed to using e-Stewards certified recyclers for all of its electronic waste.