The Recycler Magazine set to shine a spotlight on ETIRA members
March 18, 2023
The leading trade magazine for the toner and inkjet remanufacturing industry, The Recycler, has joined forces with ETIRA to showcase the association’s members.
ETIRA has partnered with The Recycler to shine a spotlight on the work of its members, with the magazine set to profile companies that are part of the trade association over a series of editions.
The collaboration comes as part of ETIRA’s 20th anniversary celebrations and also coincides with the recent announcement that the association’s AGM will this year take place in Barcelona, alongside The Recycler Live Conference, on 15-16 June.
Javier Martinez, president of ETIRA, said: “We’re excited to be partnering with The Recycler to highlight the fantastic work of our member companies and their collective efforts to reduce the environmental footprint of the ink cartridge industry.”
ETIRA members are invited to put themselves forward for the profile-raising opportunity by contacting news@therecycler.com
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The RecyclerSave the date: ETIRA’s AGM to take place this June
March 17, 2023
ETIRA’s annual general meeting is set to take place in Barcelona this June, marking the association’s 20th year in business.
The event will be held at NH Barcelona Stadium Hotel as part of The Recycler Magazine’s Recycler Live Conference, on the 15 and 16 June 2023.
Vincent van Dijk, secretary general of ETIRA, said: “We’re very much looking forward to this year’s AGM, in Barcelona this June.
“The event will mark 20 years of the Association and provide us with a great chance to bring our members together to celebrate the work we’ve done in that time, from carrying out important political lobbying work within the EU, to providing a platform for organisations within the industry to connect and communicate with one another.”
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ETIRA AGMETIRA celebrates two decades in business
March 3, 2023
This year marks the 20th anniversary of ETIRA, signalling a major milestone in the association’s journey to create a greener future for the ink toner cartridge industry.
Founded on 11 February 2003 in Barcelona, ETIRA’s creation marked the arrival of the cartridge remanufacturing industry’s first official European trade association.
Its launch signalled the sector’s commitment to raising the profile of reuse and remanufacturing, carrying out important political lobbying work within the EU and providing a platform for organisations within the industry to connect and communicate with one another.
And today, ETIRA’s membership includes some of Europe’s biggest players in the sector, with more than 40 companies joining the association from all over the UK and the continent and together, continuing to influence and shape the European toner and inkjet remanufacturing industry, as well as the wider circular economy debate and the green agenda.
Reflecting on the significant milestone, Vincent van Dijk, secretary general of ETIRA, said: “ETIRA exists to lead the fight to represent our members’ interest and to stand for cartridges as a flagship example of circularity, and key to a greener printing industry.
“The association’s launch created a face for Europe’s remanufacturing industry and also, gave the sector a voice to assert itself at the table of politicians and decision makers across the EU.”
Shaping policy
The world has changed dramatically over the last 20 years, with industry having to navigate a whole host of unprecedented challenges – from economic uncertainty to the global Covid-19 pandemic.
However, despite these hurdles, ETIRA’s focus on driving sustainability within the printing industry has held strong, continuing with its work to lobby the EU and assert remanufactured cartridges as the best choice.
Vincent van Dijk explains; “We are constantly lobbying and reaching out to EU policy makers to raise awareness of the benefits of cartridge reuse and, as an association, we’ve achieved many successes in this area.
“We successfully lobbied for favourable wording in the EU ecodesign criteria for imaging equipment, the EU Ecolabel for imaging equipment, the EU criteria for green public procurement (GPP), the US public procurement scheme EPEAT, the Nordic Ecolabel (formerly “Nordic Swan”), the EU February 2018 study on cartridge reuse, and the 2020 reform of the Voluntary Agreement Imaging Equipment. And now, as requested by us for a long time, the EU has finally decided to regulate the industry and make reuse the norm.
“But, we’re not ones to rest on our laurels. There is still much work to be done and we continue in our efforts, along with our members, to drive change across the industry, rising against the pressure of OEMs and pushing for regulatory tools to be put in place – not voluntary.”
Looking ahead
Since its creation, ETIRA has risen to the challenge of difficult trading conditions and dwindling sales volumes within the remanufacturing industry, to promote the vital benefits of reuse and drive change within policy.
With as much as 70 per cent of cartridges thrown away in Europe after first use, the association’s purpose is more vital than ever, as Vincent van Dijk summarises: “Remanufacturing cartridges for re-use can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 45 to 60 per cent.
“As our industry takes steps to reduce its environmental impact, every cartridge that is remanufactured is one fewer going directly to landfill.
“Our 20-year milestone is a point of reflection for us and our members. It’s a chance to review the vital work we’ve done to date but, more importantly, it’s an opportunity for us to promote the important job that’s still to be done to secure a greener future for the inkjet and toner industry across Europe.”
To view the full digital edition of the March issue of The Recycler please click here
Reproduction of The Recycler feature is with permission from the publisher. All rights reserved.
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One million certification labels help customers make the environmental choice
February 3, 2023
A special environmental certification from the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA) has reached a significant milestone, with one million of the accreditation marks now in circulation.
The certified mark, which showcases remanufactured products with a superior environmental performance, was launched in late 2021.
The mark’s purpose is to help customers distinguish between printing cartridges which are better for the environment than others, differentiating remanufactured Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) cartridges from new OEM and non-OEM newbuilds.
Since its launch, the label has helped raise the profile of remanufactured products produced by ETIRA members and eliminated confusion about which cartridges offer a very good environmental performance and those with poor green credentials.
Industry leaders that are using the ETIRA certification include GM Technology, KMP, Armor and Innotec.
Javier Martinez, president of ETIRA, said: “We are thrilled to reach this incredible milestone of having one million ETIRA certification labels in the market.
“In Europe, 70 per cent of cartridges are thrown away after first use. Remanufacturing cartridges for re-use can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 45-60 per cent. As our industry takes steps to reduce its environmental impact, every cartridge that is remanufactured is one fewer going directly to landfill.
“Having the certification label in the marketplace informs and empowers consumers to make the more environmentally-friendly choice when buying printing cartridges. It is better for them and better for the planet.”
ETIRA remanufacturers that fulfil a qualification process and license agreement can apply the certification mark to their own brand of cartridges, as well as any brand of cartridges they have produced for a third party that complies with the license requirements.
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ETIRA Certification MarkETIRA launches new videos promoting accreditation
January 28, 2023
ETIRA launched its Certification Mark in 2021 has now launched two videos to expand the promotion of the mark and it’s benefits to members of ETIRA and raise awareness of the wider issues around the need to remanufacture toner and ink cartridges to reduce the amount of harmful plastic waste being produced.
Like most of us who use an office printer, you only see the cartridge twice. Once when you install it and then when you replace it.
When you search online for a replacement there are over 25 million possible options – and there are all sorts of terminology used like New, OEM, non-OEM, reused, remanufactured, compatible. Then there are the environmental credentials. Sustainable, eco, recycled and so on. It can be very confusing for the consumer or those putting proposals out for tender.
At ETIRA, the European trade association for remanufacturers, we have simplified how you can choose a replacement or can specify in your bids as part of your procurement process.
Just look for the ETIRA Certification Mark which is a hologram label on the product!
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ETIRA Certification MarkFree Remanexpo tickets for ETIRA members
ETIRA members can access free tickets for this year’s Remanexpo in Frankfurt, thanks to The Recycler Magazine.
By registering via The Recycler’s website, or by emailing joe.reader@therecycler.com, member companies can secure a voucher code to exchange online for a free five-day pass to the show.
The tickets also include free travel on Frankfurt’s public transport.
Javier Martinez, president at ETIRA, said: “The offer of free tickets for Remanexpo from our friends at The Recycler provides members with a great chance to immerse themselves in one of the world’s leading trade fairs.”
Remanexpo takes place as part of the Ambiente show at Messe Frankfurt from 3-7 Feburary 2023, representing the reuse market and new products, technologies and services within the remanufacturing sector.
ETIRA will be exhibiting at the event, along with a number of sponsors, at the ETIRA Pavillion – CMF2 C02.
To request free tickets for the show, head to: https://bit.ly/remanexpoETIRA or email joe.reader@therecycler.com.
Mr Heinz Sieg: A message from ETIRA
January 18, 2023
It is with great sadness that we at ETIRA have learnt about the recent passing of Mr Heinz Sieg, one of the founders and first Board members of ETIRA, and its first Treasurer.
Heinz is founder of the well-known ETIRA member-company KMP, currently led by his son and current ETIRA Board member Mr Jan-Michael Sieg.
Heinz was a visionary who saw the benefits of cartridge reuse long before others did, and a real entrepreneur who built KMP from scratch into the no. 1 industry firm it is today.
ETIRA has always greatly valued Heinz’s contribution to our industry, as well as his vision on its future development. As such he united the industry, and gave it a strong foundation.
ETIRA has expressed its condolences to Mr Jan-Michael Sieg and his family.
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ETIRA certification for global leader of remanufactured photocopiers and printers
January 17, 2023
GM Technology, a global leader of premium refurbished photocopiers, printers and consumables, will promote its remanufactured products with special certification from the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA).
Based in Dos Hermanas in Seville, Spain, GM Technology offers a range of sustainable products focused on maximising reuse. These include the unique R-OEM and R-GEN remanufactured toners and the Green Line range of machines.
The company, a member of ETIRA since 2020, will display ETIRA’s label certification which differentiates between remanufactured OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) cartridges from new OEM and non-OEM newbuilds. The label certification raises the profile of remanufactured products produced by ETIRA members, like GM Technology, which offer a superior environmental performance.
Zoltan Matyas, director of international business at GM Technology, said: “Our business model and operations have always been designed around reuse, remanufacturing and most importantly the core value of respecting the environment.
“We believe that nowadays it is essential that all businesses operate this way: committed to the planet and reducing the impact of human activity on the environment.
“Thanks to the presence of the ETIRA label on our toner cartridges and reference to it on our packaging, our customers have the certainty that they are buying a sustainable product, which has been remanufactured with respect for the planet.
“For a company operating in the toner remanufacturing industry, it is extremely important to differentiate our products and effectively communicate our values. The ETIRA label helps us to do exactly that.
“We would like actively cooperate with fellow industry members to support the cause of making remanufactured printing equipment and consumables the first choice for all office printing needs.
“We believe that the current global economic model, which is lineal and based on extracting raw materials, producing, and then disposing of them, must be reversed as soon as possible, or there will be no future on our planet for the next generations.”
Javier Martinez, president of ETIRA, said: “In Europe, 70 per cent of cartridges are thrown away after use but remanufacturing cartridges can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 60 per cent. We are committed to reducing the number of cartridges that go directly to landfill and are so pleased to have GM Technology with us on this sustainable journey.”
For further information about GM Technology, visit www.gmtechnology.net
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Reuse
Marking a greener future for business with ETIRA
January 4, 2023
Print and ink toner remanufacturers across the UK and Europe are cementing their commitment to a greener future, thanks to an initiative launched by ETIRA – the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association.
ETIRA, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, unveiled its certification label in 2021 and is now approaching the key milestone of having more than 1 million of the certification mark labels in circulation.
The labels enable customers to distinguish between printing cartridges which are better for the environment than others.
Javier Martinez, president of ETIRA, explains: “For busy companies, you might not have time to investigate the environmental credentials of your printing cartridges. You might grab the closest – or cheapest – cartridge and worry about the environmental impact later.
“At ETIRA, we have represented inkjet and toner cartridge remanufacturers across Europe for many years, and, as the voice of the industry, we promote reuse across imaging channels, aligning our mission with the European Green Deal’s Circular Economy Action Plan.
“Our certification label differentiates remanufactured Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) cartridges from new OEM and non-OEM newbuilds with the aim of raising the profile of remanufactured products produced by ETIRA members, providing a clearer industry view on which cartridges and printing products offer the best environmental performance and, in turn, enabling consumers to differentiate them from cartridges with a larger carbon footprint.”
Why it matters
The environmental footprint of printers and cartridges can be huge. Every year, more than 500 million plastic printer cartridges end up dumped in landfills around the world. In Europe, according to ETIRA’s research, up to 70 per cent of empty toner and inkjet cartridges are incinerated or dumped in landfill every year. Between 80 and 90 percent of these cartridges could be reused.
Remanufacturing cartridges for re-use can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 50 per cent. Every cartridge that is remanufactured is one fewer going directly to landfill. Remanufactured cartridges are also often up to 30 per cent cheaper than OEM equivalents, representing a cost-effective and environmentally-friendlier option.
Javier said: “In launching the certification initiative, we hope to provide a clearer industry view on which cartridges and printing products offer better environmental performance.
“A certification mark confirms that product complies with specific quality standards irrespective of its origin. These standards include permitted materials, manufacturing methods and service performances.
“Our new certification label is for ETIRA members to use on their remanufactured cartridges. It provides customers with the assurance it is a genuine remanufactured OEM cartridge that has been correctly placed on the market and remanufactured by an ETIRA member company.”
Making their mark
The label is helping ETIRA members make their mark on the circular economy, with industry leaders such as France-based ARMOR Print Solutions, Germany headquartered KMP and GM Technology in Spain all using the special certification to that showcase their remanufactured products with a superior environmental performance.
Jan-Michael Sieg, CEO at KMP, said: “Being a member of ETIRA brings us a lot of benefits and aligns with what we stand for – reuse before recycle.
“The ETIRA label certification provides an additional assurance an empty cartridge has been remanufactured to a very high standard and placed back on the market. Reusing a cartridge can reduce the CO2 emissions by up to 60% and ETIRA labelled cartridges are safe to use, good for the environment and competitively priced compared to buying the printer manufacturers’ own brand cartridge.
“The ETIRA label is a standard which the cheap jacks of our industry cannot fulfill. It clearly marks the difference between a true eco-friendly, sustainable, high-quality product and green-washed products.”
And, Gerwald van der Gijp, CEO of ARMOR Print Solutions, said: “For us, the stickers and ETIRA certification is real proof of our engagement and commitment to respect the European environmental regulation and quality standards. It certifies that we remanufacture high quality products that are safe for the health of our customers.”
Member benefits
The new label is currently limited to ETIRA members through a qualification process and license agreement.
This means the remanufacturer will be able to apply the certification mark not only to their own brand of cartridges, but any brand of cartridges they have produced for a third party that complies with the license requirements.
To receive the certification, each member must commit to follow the agreed process for the selection and remanufacturing of the cartridge and the correct recycling of all waste biproducts.
Javier, said: “Through the certification label, we want to remove the confusion so businesses can clearly identify which cartridges are more sustainable and which will end up in landfill.
“Ultimately, we want to give companies peace of mind so they know that when they buy cartridges, they are making the responsible choice – and the best one for the planet.”
To find out more about ETIRA and to explore membership options and use of the certification label, visit www.etira.org, email info@etira.org or call +31 6 414 614 63