In the past year, across Australia, about 13,750 cartridges were diverted from landfill every working day through the initiative.

Overall, more than 38 million cartridges have been recycled, approximately 15,700 tonnes of valuable resources such as metals and plastics. 

“Council thanks the residents for recycling their used cartridges," council’s sustainability officer Mick Brady said.

“The success of this program to date shows how easy it is for the public to get involved and the real difference our actions can make to the environment.

“Planet Ark congratulates the residents of Muswellbrook for taking such an active role in helping the program meet its targets. 

“Key to the success of the program has been the close and effective partnerships between responsible manufacturers, workplace and retail collection points and the community.”

Planet Ark’s CEO Paul Klymenko said participating manufacturers - Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Konica Minolta, and Kyocera - had partnered with Planet Ark to collectively ensure the responsible recycling of ink, laser cartridges, toner bottles and other items. 

“The Cartridges 4 Planet Ark recycling program is free, convenient, independently audited, and coordinated through a network of over 30,000 locations nationwide,” he explained.

Muswellbrook Shire residents can take their printer cartridges to special collection boxes located at the Post Office and Harvey Norman.

Register your workplace for a free collection box at http://cartridges.planetark.org/workplace/register.cfm