Canon Singapore and the National Library Board (NLB) have expanded their Cartridge Recycling Programme, extending it to more libraries across the country. First launched in 2024 with five participating libraries, the initiative now includes 10 additional drop-off points, providing Singapore residents with more convenient access to recycle used ink and toner cartridges.
Expanding reach for sustainable action
The programme was introduced to encourage responsible recycling practices, beginning with the National Library Building and libraries at Jurong, Punggol, Tampines and Woodlands. With the addition of 10 more libraries, the scheme aims to engage a wider community in supporting Singapore’s environmental goals. Used cartridges collected under the programme are sent to a licensed facility where they are dismantled. Recyclable materials such as plastics and metals are recovered, while non-recyclable parts are channelled to waste-to-energy generation plants.
Canon Singapore’s Senior Vice President and Head of Singapore Operations Group, Andrew Koh, said, “At Canon, our philosophy of Kyosei – living and working together for the common good – drives everything we do. This partnership with NLB is much more than a recycling initiative but a conscious collective nationwide sustainability movement, upon which we empower all Singapore residents to champion a greener, more sustainable future through small, everyday actions.”
Inkfinity Green Pledge campaign
To mark SG60, Canon Singapore has launched the “Inkfinity” Green Pledge, a community campaign that encourages residents to take personal steps towards sustainability. Running from 29 August to 14 November 2025, the initiative invites participants to snap a photo with a recycling bin at participating libraries, make a pledge to adopt eco-friendly habits, and share the photo on Instagram with the hashtag #InkfinityGreenPledge, tagging @CanonSingapore. The campaign aims to foster everyday eco-conscious actions in a lighthearted yet impactful way.
Eric Chin, Chief Sustainability Officer at NLB, said, “We have been encouraged by the positive response to the pilot phase of this recycling initiative where any brand of ink and toner cartridges can be responsibly recycled. This initiative fills a gap in the recycling ecosystem, so we are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Canon Singapore by expanding this initiative to more libraries across Singapore. This is part of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability where our libraries can serve as community touchpoints for green initiatives.”
Supporting Singapore’s zero waste ambitions
The expansion of the recycling programme aligns with Singapore’s Zero Waste Masterplan, which targets an improved national recycling rate beyond the current 50 per cent. By offering accessible collection points across the country, Canon Singapore and NLB are helping to raise public participation in recycling and supporting the national effort to reduce waste. The initiative reflects the growing role of businesses and public institutions in driving sustainability, not only through large-scale policy but also by promoting small, consistent actions from individuals.
