Cartridge World Supports Clean Up New Zealand Week
In a last minute reprieve, Cartridge World New Zealand has stepped in to provide online web-based support for Clean Up New Zealand Week. The website provides councils and schools nationwide with the support to coordinate Clean Up New Zealand activities throughout the country, and without Cartridge World's sponsorship these activities were at risk of bing put on hold until 2005.
"Clean up New Zealand Week is vital for the ongoing eradication and minimisation of waste in New Zealand." says Geoff Smith, Master Franchisee of Cartridge World New Zealand. "As the national leader in refilling and recycling printer cartridges it was intolerable to us that this event would not be able to go ahead due to funding issues. The vision of Clean Up New Zealand, to take positive environmental action as an essential investment in the health of our country and the children of tomorrow, is perfectly aligned with our business values. We are proud that our sponsorship enables this essential event to continue in 2004.''
Cartridge World New Zealand has 27 stores in local communities around New Zealand, providing refilling and recycling services for inkjet and toner cartridges in computer printers, facsimilies and photocopiers. Not only do customers benefit from personal service at the retail outlets, they also save up to 50% of the cost of a new cartridge.
"Being part of the local community is very important for our business owners," says Mr Smith. "That's why all Cartridge World New Zealand stores are looking forward to partnering with local schools and councils to make a real environmental difference during Clean Up New Zealand Week this year."
Recent research by BRC Research indicates New Zealand households are dumping more than 1.2 million printer cartridges in household rubbish every year. By conservative estimates that means 209 tonnes of used cartridges are entering local landfills each year, where they take more than 100 years to biodegrade. Even more disturbing is the fact that these research findings do not include figures for the number of printer cartridges disposed of by businesses.
Most New Zealanders are aware of their ability to recycle items like glass, plastic and cardboard, but many are not aware of their ability to reuse and recycle cartridges. says Mr Smith. The significance of the e-waste problem generated by throwing away used cartridges is huge and the environmental impact is untenable in the long term.
Juliet MacDonald, Manager of Clean Up New Zealand Trust, is delighted by Cartridge World New Zealand?s support of both the website and local activities.
The website is a vital tool to enable councils, schools, and all New Zealanders to be part of Clean Up New Zealand week, she says, ?as it provides essential information and allows everyone to register and coordinate their activities. I really appreciate the huge amount of support I have received this year from Cartridge World New Zealand, local councils and schools. Everyone has been very enthusiastic and has come to the party to make Clean Up New Zealand Week 2004 a very successful event.
Clean Up New Zealand Week is a highly effective national community-based environmental event, which encourages tens of thousands of New Zealanders to join forces to make a real difference to the quality of our environment.
To find out more visit www.cleanupnz.org.nz