Canon & WBM: Advancing Circular Recycling to Reach Net Zero
Canon UK & Ireland and Waterloo Business Management (WBM Ltd) are celebrating the first anniversary of their joint recycling programme, which provides businesses with a simple and sustainable way to recycle printer consumables.
In its first year, the initiative diverted 33,800Kg of toner cartridges and related products from landfill, channelling these materials back into production through a closed-loop recycling system.
The achievement highlights Canon’s progress toward its global target of achieving net zero GHG emissions across its full product life cycle by 2050.
Delivering measurable impact
Since its launch in January 2024, the partnership has scaled rapidly. More than 336 customers now take part across more than 1,000 account locations.
WBM has completed 892 collections, processed 2,922 boxes and recycled more than 42,000 toner bottles.
By recovering high-quality plastic, often outperforming virgin materials in performance tests, the scheme demonstrates the tangible benefits of applying circular economy principles to business operations.
“Our partnership with Canon has enabled WBM to make printer component recycling more accessible and efficient, operating at a wider scale that was not previously possible,” says James O’Connor, Managing Director at WBM.
“This expanded capability not only allows us to significantly increase the volume of recycled materials but also supports Canon’s sustainability goals and enhances the value we deliver to Canon’s customers, offering them a more responsible and environmentally conscious way to manage their print infrastructure.”
Raising recycling standards
Unlike generic schemes that combine materials from different brands, WBM uses an original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-specific approach.
This allows for higher material consistency, improved recovery rates and greater environmental benefit.
Customers also benefit from a seamless user experience and full traceability of their recycled materials, ensuring both convenience and compliance with environmental regulations.
Traceability and compliance
Through WBM’s digital portal, Canon customers gain full visibility into the recycling process.
They can track collections, view historical data and download compliance certificates, providing transparency and proof of progress against sustainability targets.
This traceability is particularly valuable as businesses face tightening regulations and increasing stakeholder scrutiny on environmental responsibility.
“Canon is actively working to enhance the recyclability of our products as part of our broader commitment to a circular economy,” adds Arpitha Swamy, Environment and Product Safety Specialist at Canon UK & Ireland.
“Our partnership with WBM helps reduce waste and keep materials out of landfill. We are excited to deepen our collaboration, bring the service to more customers across the UK and support our partners on their sustainability journeys.”
The first year of the Canon-WBM partnership underlines how collaborative innovation can turn sustainability commitments into measurable outcomes.
By embedding closed-loop recycling into its operations, Canon not only reduces waste but also sets a precedent for circular practices within the print industry.
The milestone offers a strong foundation as Canon continues to pursue its long-term net-zero goals.
