Officeworks has announced the launch of a new recycling program for batteries, pens and markers, as part of an upgrade to recycling stations across most of its stores over the next 12 months. 

 

With only three per cent of batteries currently recycled in Australia, Officeworks claims its program provides a significant opportunity to make recycling batteries accessible for more Australians.

 

After being trialed successfully in five stores, Officeworks plans to roll out battery recycling to all its stores by the end of 2020, in partnership with Envirostream. The pen and marker recycling program will be available in most stores within the next year, delivered in partnership with BIC.

 

Alexandra Staley, Officeworks general manager corporate affairs, said: “We know our customers want to dispose of their unwanted items such as batteries responsibly, and that they appreciate there’s value in recovering and reusing the materials.

 

“To-date we’ve helped our customers recycle more than 4800 tonnes of e-waste, but we know there’s more opportunity in other waste streams. The introduction of our battery, pen and marker recycling is a great extension of our existing customer recycling program and proves our ongoing commitment to the environment,” she said.

 

In 2012, Officeworks established Bring it Back , which provides customers the opportunity to recycle computers and laptops, monitors, keyboards, printers, mice, hard drives, mobile phones and accessories, cables, chargers, DVDs and CDs. Since 2005, Officeworks has also been involved in Cartridges 4 Planet Ark , which has seen customers drop off more than 10 million ink and toner cartridges at its stores for recycling.