Recycling Of Computer Printer Ink Cartridges

EDM number 1319 in 2002-03, proposed by Kerry Pollard on 03/06/2003.

That this House welcomes the European Union Directive which seeks to promote recycling of computer parts; notes that the European Parliament made provision in the Directive to prevent manufacturers from adapting printer cartridges to inhibit recycling; further notes that the Department for Trade and Industry currently deems printer cartridges to be consumables, and therefore outside the scope of the EU legislation; regrets the large number of ink cartridges currently being sent to landfill sites, or being sent abroad for crushing; congratulates the companies which operate environmentally friendly cartridge recycling schemes, preventing the use of landfill for disposal and offering inexpensive recycled ink cartridges to individuals, schools and small businesses; calls upon the Government to ensure that such schemes are not forced to close by large international manufacturers using microchip technology to prevent recycling; and further calls on the Government to put an end to uncertainty by deeming computer printer cartridges to fall within the scope of the EU Directive.

This motion has been signed by a total of 77 MPs.