Reducing our footprint

In today’s modern world, one would think that the advent of technology like computers, scanners, and digital files would reduce our production of waste in the world. And in many ways, it has. However, the more technologically advanced we’ve become, it becomes more obvious that the waste we produce isn’t going anywhere quickly.  

Did you know that more than 1.1 billion (yes, with a B) inkjet cartridges are used around the world each year. That’s just inkjet. This count does not include laser printers, fax machines, plotters, etc.  1.1 billion of those small cartridges would cover the length of the Great Wall of China nearly 130 times. The majority are simply tossed in the garbage and will enjoy life in your local landfill for up to 1,000 years as the polymers used to create them are engineering grade. By the time the cartridge you used up begins to decompose in the landfill, your great (x11) grandchildren will be born. Twelve generations will have passed. Isn’t that amazing?!

Here at Denver Botanic Gardens, as part of our ISO-14001 certification, we have worked to identify habits we can change to better influence our world. From using highly-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) to installing a state-of-the-art weather monitoring system attached to our campus-wide irrigation system, we are striving to lessen our influence on the planet.

Back in December, we realized that there was no centralized recycling system for the many printer cartridges that are used organization-wide. With over 15 departments at Denver Botanic Gardens, we go through a lot of ink. Prior to December, departments were free to dispose of their empty cartridges however they wanted. Some were recycled, but many were not. Some departments had knee-high stacks of used cartridges sitting around as they were not sure what was the “right” thing to do.

A few of the cartridges used each month at Denver Botanic Gardens.

At a monthly meeting of the organization’s administrative staff, we decided that recycling all the cartridges that come through our doors was the least we could do. With a little research and conversation with our office supplies vendor, Pedro’s Planet, a system was set up.

Now, twice a month, all staff members of Denver Botanic Gardens receive an e-mail reminding them to recycle their cartridges. They are gathered and stored in the Development, Membership & Exhibits office in the basement of Boettcher Memorial Hall.

Twice per month, Pete from Pedro’s Planet swings by and picks up the cartridges. They’re cleaned and refilled and sold again for use in printers and copiers nation-wide. In just a few months, we’ve returned hundreds of cartridges to the cycle and prevented nearly a thousand pounds of garbage from hitting the landfill.

Cartridges waiting to be picked up. Each weighs nearly three (3) pounds empty and necessitated .5 to 7 liters of crude oil to be produced

It’s a small step in the right direction.

We’re constantly looking for more ways to be environmentally friendly. Now if only we can figure out how to reduce the packaging for these cartridges…

Each cartridge arrives in its own heavy corrugated box with abundant packing materials.

Facts & Figures from: Recycling Appeal