Saturday, 13 September 2025
Canon and WBM Recycle Over 33,000kg of Print Waste in One Year, Advancing Circular Economy Goals Canon UK & Ireland and Waterloo Business Management (WBM) have marked the first anniversary of their collaborative recycling initiative by announcing a major sustainability milestone: the successful redirection of 33,800 kilograms of printer waste, including toner cartridges and related […]
Canon UK & Ireland and Waterloo Business Management (WBM) have marked the first anniversary of their collaborative recycling initiative by announcing a major sustainability milestone: the successful redirection of 33,800 kilograms of printer waste, including toner cartridges and related consumables, away from landfill in just one year.
The initiative, which launched in January 2024, aims to support a circular economy by integrating recovered materials back into Canon’s production processes through a closed-loop recycling system. This system ensures that high-quality recycled plastic, often exceeding the performance of new materials, is reused rather than discarded, contributing to Canon’s goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its product lifecycle by 2050.
In its first year, the programme has grown rapidly:
Nearly 350 clients have joined across 1,000+ accounts
892 collections have been completed
Over 2,922 boxes and more than 42,000 toner bottles have been handled
This large-scale operation demonstrates how accessible and effective sustainability initiatives can become when manufacturers and service providers collaborate meaningfully.
“Our partnership with Canon has enabled WBM to make printer component recycling more accessible and efficient, operating at a wider scale that was not previously possible,” said James O’Connor, Managing Director at WBM. “This expanded capability not only allows us to significantly increase the volume of recycled materials but also supports Canon’s sustainability goals and enhances the value we deliver to Canon’s customers, offering them a more responsible and environmentally conscious way to manage their print infrastructure.”
What sets this initiative apart from traditional recycling schemes is its OEM-specific approach, a model that focuses on brand-aligned processes for better material consistency and recovery. The closed-loop system ensures:
Enhanced traceability of recycled materials
Full compliance with environmental regulations
A more streamlined experience for end users
Through WBM’s digital portal, customers can:
Track recycling collections
View historical collection data
Download compliance certificates
This transparency is especially important as businesses face growing expectations to meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) targets and prove progress toward sustainability commitments.
The Canon–WBM initiative is a strong example of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a principle that holds manufacturers accountable for the full lifecycle of their products, including post-consumer waste. By taking ownership of cartridge disposal and integrating reuse into manufacturing, Canon is helping shift industry norms from linear (“make-use-dispose”) models to more sustainable circular systems.
EPR is increasingly supported by environmental regulators across the EU and UK, and Canon’s proactive approach could serve as a model for future policy compliance across electronics and other hardware sectors.
Canon’s commitment to sustainability continues to evolve with the support of trusted partners like WBM. According to Arpitha Swamy, Environment and Product Safety Specialist at Canon UK & Ireland:
“Canon is actively working to enhance the recyclability of our products as part of our broader commitment to a circular economy. Our partnership with WBM helps reduce waste and keep materials out of landfill. We’re excited to deepen our collaboration, bring the service to more customers across the UK and support our partners on their sustainability journeys.”
The initiative not only reduces environmental impact, but also serves as a benchmark for circular practices in the print and imaging industry. By integrating closed-loop recycling into its broader operations, Canon is showing how practical collaboration can yield measurable climate benefits, laying a solid foundation for reaching its long-term net-zero targets.
Closed-loop recycling helps businesses reduce reliance on virgin materials, cut emissions associated with raw material extraction, and minimise waste. In manufacturing-intensive sectors like print and imaging, adopting closed-loop systems can deliver significant environmental benefits over time.
With a strong first year completed, Canon and WBM are looking to scale the programme further, bringing it to more organisations across the UK and Ireland. As circular economy principles become more central to business operations, this initiative highlights how partnerships can drive meaningful progress on sustainability goals.
As environmental scrutiny intensifies and pressure mounts for every industry to contribute to climate action, partnerships like Canon and WBM’s demonstrate that sustainability and business growth can go hand in hand. Through innovation, accountability, and smart collaboration, they offer a replicable model for companies looking to embed circular economy principles into everyday operations—without compromising performance or profitability.
At All-Ireland Sustainability, we’re committed to building a greener, fairer island, together. Stay informed on the latest environmental initiatives, community action, and policy developments shaping sustainability across Ireland, North and South.
👉 Sign up for our newsletter today and be the first to hear about upcoming events, expert insights, and ways to get involved.
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just starting your journey, new members are always welcome.
Subscribe now and be part of the All-Ireland Sustainability Membership.