[Anonymous]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/438667/1/.html
Malaysia:Ricoh recycles used cartridges, bottles to make benches

click on this link below to see video:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video/index.php

KUALA
LUMPUR: With the widespread use of computers and other machines, office
trash has emerged as a growing environmental problem.One Malaysian
company has tapped into the durable nature of plastic to turn used
toner cartridges and bottles into something much more environmentally
friendly.Benches that are made entirely from recycled toner cartridges
and bottles are a common sight at many monorail stations, parks and
schools in downtown Kuala Lumpur.The company behind the initiative said
it costs nearly US$300 to produce one bench, but the money is well
spent.Lim Eng Weng, managing director, Ricoh Malaysia, said: “We
actually pay a dollar per cartridge to our technical team to collect
(these used cartridges) from customers.”We’ve been able to do up to 60
per cent – the other 40 per cent still get thrown away. With more
awareness on recycling, some people actually do it out of their own
initiative and find it a joy to recycle plastic.”

Ricoh sells
over 1,000 copiers a year in Malaysia. On average, at least 3,000 toner
cartridges are thrown away each month. As only half of these cartridges
get recycled, the company hopes to raise this number to 85 per cent.The
company’s green message has gone down well with Malaysians.One said: “I
always think that recycling is a good idea because you don’t waste too
much.””It’s a good idea to make our world greener than before,” another
added.

[Author]

June 30, 2009 at 12:22 PM