Mimaki Australia has announced a new free ink cartridge recycling program in partnership with Close the Loop.

Close the Loop has been operating printer consumable product stewardship programs since 2000 and is now the largest recycler of print consumables globally. The company has successfully repurposed more than 26,000 tonnes of printer consumables in Australia.

Toner powder collected from cartridges is transformed into TonerPlas, an asphalt additive that enhances road performance and durability while reducing the carbon footprint.

Close the Loop also creates other sustainable products from recycled materials, all while adhering to a strict Zero Waste to Landfill policy.

With Mimaki Australia joining the program, customers using Mimaki ink can now recycle used ink cartridges, ink bottles, and ink tanks for 3D printers free of charge.

Mimaki is also taking further steps to reduce plastic waste. In 2023, the company introduced paper-based ink cartridges in Japan, with a global rollout beginning in 2024. This transition has led to a 68 per cent reduction in plastic usage per cartridge, underscoring Mimaki’s commitment to sustainability.

“As a company, we believe it is our responsibility to provide the cleanest and most sustainable products available today,” a Mimaki Australia spokesperson said.

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