Epson Australia has become the first Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in Australia to choose Planet Ark’s 100% recycled paper for its own printing.
Planet Ark Paper, a joint initiative between not-for-profit Planet Ark and Australian Paper, aims to increase recycling of office paper, reduce the amount of waste paper going to landfill and increase the use of locally made, high-recycled content paper by businesses, households and governments.
“Before we chose to use Planet Ark Paper, we conducted a number of tests to ensure it met high industry standards,” says Epson Australia’s Human Resources & Environment Manager Garry Pearce.
“With Planet Ark [Paper] you can get bright white copy paper that’s 100% recycled, Australian made, carbon neutral and made with local FSC-certified material. Reducing the company’s impact on the environment is a priority. It is very important to Epson that people get the most out of their Epson products and can still use recycled paper, thus contributing to a good environmental outcome.”
Epson is also a long-term partner in the 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' recycling program.
The environmental group welcomed the news. “We hope Epson’s decision will encourage other Australian businesses and households to close the recycling loop by adopting 100% recycled paper too,” says Reese Malcolm, Planet Ark’s Recycled Paper Programs Manager.
In Australia, office paper has a recycling rate of 68%, yet less than 18% of new paper sold includes high-recycled content. Currently most recycled paper is imported into Australia, creating higher carbon emissions through transport.
Since the launch of Planet Ark Paper in November 2016, more than 165,000 reams have been purchased, saving 1,280 tonnes of carbon emissions and 475 tonnes of waste from landfill.
Australian Paper owns Australia’s only premium wastepaper recycling and de-inking plant, situated in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley. The $90 million facility takes up to 80,000 tonnes of wastepaper out of Australia’s landfill each year, saving up to 200,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.