A Deeper Look at Lexmark & Toshiba’s Commitment to a Circular Future
When we think about sustainability in the workplace, toner cartridges might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But every year, millions of these small, vital components contribute to global waste. What happens to them after they’ve served their purpose? If you’re using solutions from Lexmark or Toshiba – a lot more than you might expect.
This Earth Day, we’re lifting the lid on how two of our trusted technology partners are redefining toner recycling – not just as waste reduction, but as a strategic pillar of environmental innovation.
♻️ Lexmark: Sustainability at Every Stage of the Product Lifecycle
Lexmark’s toner cartridge recycling is part of a broader, tightly integrated circular economy approach that influences every phase of their product development – from materials sourcing to end-of-life recovery.
🧱 Design for Sustainability
Lexmark engineers devices with long-life components, modular repairability, and an average of 40–43% post-consumer recycled plastic in toner cartridges. Many printer models contain up to 70% PCR plastic by weight.
Their design philosophy is intentional:
- Compact form factors to reduce shipping and packaging emissions
- Energy-efficient operation, including automatic duplexing and power-saving modes
- Durable, serviceable builds that extend device and cartridge life
♻️ Closed-Loop Cartridge Recycling (LCCP)
Lexmark’s Cartridge Collection Program (LCCP) allows businesses to return used toner cartridges via free, user-friendly collection systems. Returned units are:
- Inspected for reuse: If viable, they are remanufactured under strict quality protocols
- Disassembled: Components are sorted, and materials like plastic and metal are recovered
- Recycled into next-gen products: Over 2,100 metric tons of PCR plastic were used in Lexmark’s own products in 2023, with 82% of reclaimed plastics coming from remanufactured parts
The result? Over 90% of Lexmark’s device materials are recyclable, significantly reducing raw material dependency and global landfill waste.
🌱 Toshiba: Innovation Through Reuse, Reclamation & Carbon Neutrality
Toshiba’s approach to toner cartridge recycling is equally forward-thinking, but with unique technology and carbon compensation built into the lifecycle.
🔄 Eco Box Scheme
Through Toshiba’s Eco Box program, organisations collect waste toner cartridges, waste toner bottles, and used consumables in bulk. These are sent to professional recycling partners – all at no cost to the user. The scheme is:
- Simple to adopt
- Scalable across large organisations
- Aligned with Toshiba’s “zero waste to landfill” goal
Importantly, their toner is also designed to be free from harmful chemicals, minimising environmental risk even if incorrectly disposed of.
🌍 Carbon Neutral from Day One
Thanks to the Toshiba Carbon Zero Scheme, every Toshiba device – including the toner lifecycle – is delivered with a net-zero carbon footprint. Emissions from manufacturing, logistics, and installation are offset through projects like:
- Kenyan Mangrove Restoration
- Ugandan Borehole Rehabilitation
- Amazon Forest Conservation
- African Fuel-Efficient Stoves
Since 2009, this program has offset over 635,000 tonnes of CO₂ – the equivalent of 83,000 car trips around the planet.
🧪 Rewriting the Rules with Erasable Printing
Toshiba’s Hybrid MFP is the world’s first multi-function printer that allows you to erase toner and reuse the same sheet of paper up to 5 times. This drastically reduces water and tree consumption, and addresses a key environmental statistic: nearly 45% of all printed documents are discarded on the same day.
By shifting the workflow from print → recycle to print → erase → reuse → recycle, Toshiba’s innovation drastically reduces waste without disrupting productivity.
📦 Why It Matters (Now More Than Ever)
- In 2023 alone, the world generated nearly 60 million tonnes of e-waste – but only 20% was properly recycled
- The average office worker uses 10,000 sheets of paper per year
- Toner cartridge production and disposal still contribute significantly to plastic waste, resource extraction, and GHG emissions
By recycling with Lexmark or Toshiba, you’re not just ticking a box – you’re actively participating in a smarter, cleaner materials economy.
✅ How Your Business Can Take Part
Lexmark Users
→ Visit Lexmark’s Cartridge Collection Program to request return materials
→ Use in-box shipping labels or order bulk return kits for multi-device fleets
Toshiba Users
→ Request an Eco Box from Toshiba’s Recycling Program
→ Start collecting toner waste and used consumables today – shipping and processing are covered
For both systems, we at NCS Office Systems can help facilitate onboarding, arrange collections, and even track your recycling stats for internal ESG reporting.
🌎 This Earth Day, Be the Office That Leads by Example
Sustainability isn’t just a marketing checkbox – it’s a responsibility, and toner recycling is one of the easiest, most effective ways your office can make a tangible difference. With partners like Lexmark and Toshiba, and a technology ally like NCS, the journey to a circular, carbon-conscious workplace is one you never have to walk alone.
📞 Want to start your own closed-loop cartridge strategy?
Reach out to our sustainability team at salesadmin@ncs-ltd.com or call 03452 003 300.
