Close the Loop holds open day
September 26, 2024
Close the Loop open day showcases the facility to stakeholders involved in the Circular Planet cartridge collection programme.
Close the Loop (CtL), based in Malle, Belgium, hosted its “Circular Planet” open day in Belgium on Tuesday. The event attracted Circular Planet stakeholders, including OEMs and collection partners, who gathered to explore CtL’s multi-brand cartridge collection programme aimed at fostering remanufacturing and recycling across Europe.
Joe Foster, CEO of CtL, who travelled from Australia for the occasion, opened the event with a brief history of the company and its current programme. This set the stage for a series of presentations and discussions around the circular economy in the printing and imaging sector.
For many OEMs, this was a prime opportunity to see firsthand what cartridge collection truly involves. However, when it came to sharing their own plans for sustainability or remanufacturing strategies ahead of the upcoming legislation, OEMs were as tight-lipped as MI6 and the CIA combined — keeping their future initiatives closely guarded.
One of the most notable presentations came from Craig McCubbin of Brother, who detailed the company’s laser cartridge remanufacturing programme. With operations spanning Slovakia and the UK, Brother’s efforts now employ over 500 people. McCubbin highlighted their recent expansion into inkjet cartridge remanufacturing, a move that aligns towards sustainable resource use. He stressed the importance of “design for reuse,” which has enabled Brother to reuse 87% of the components recovered during remanufacturing.
During his speech, McCubbin took aim at so-called “clones” —and clarified that “refillers are not a concern, but clones are the issue.” It is worth noting that “refillers” is OEM terminology for aftermarket remanufacturers. Brother’s remanufactured cartridges, sold as new, do not carry any price differential, underscoring their confidence in their quality.
The day’s discussions also delved into regulatory challenges facing the industry. Representatives from OVAM, the Public Waste Agency of Flanders, explained new waste shipment regulations set to take effect from 1 January 2025, which will tighten controls on exports to non-OECD countries. OVAM’s presentation also touched on the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, an initiative designed to secure vital resources, boost recycling efforts, and reduce Europe’s dependency on imports.
Bringing further insight into policy, Bram Soenen, Senior Expert in Product Policy for the Belgian government, explored topics like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Digital Product Passports. Soenen’s presentation echoed discussions from the recent Recycler Live conference in Brussels, drawing attention to the need for better traceability and material recovery in the sector.
A highlight of the event was the presentation by Julie-Ann Adams, CEO of EERA (European Electronics Recyclers Association), on the complex world of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) recycling. Adams outlined the significant challenges recyclers face, from hazardous components such as batteries to the difficulty of retrieving key materials like gallium from high-tech devices.
The day concluded with a tour of CtL’s operations, including their nearby Recyca collection facility. Attendees were shown the intricate processes involved in sorting, treating, and safely managing waste cartridges, alongside prototypes aimed at increasing the reuse of consumables. CtL’s rigorous safety measures, particularly to prevent battery explosions during waste processing, impressed attendees.
Categories : World Focus
Tags : Circular Planet Close the Loop Event Open Day Presentations Tour
