Return, reuse & recycle

The R2 (Responsible Recycling) Standard is a comprehensive global criteria for e-recyclers and requires responsible management of used computers and electronics. This standard is managed by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI). The e-Stewards Standard is a rigorous, internationally compliant certification from Basil Action Network (BAN) based on ISO 14001 that assures full conformance to a comprehensive suite of electronics recycling best practices. Both SERI and BAN are working to ensure the electronics recycling industry is environmentally sustainable. Our recycling partners are audited regularly to ensure that they continue to maintain the high level of service and regulatory compliance that we expect of our recycling partners.
 

Our recycling partners
The primary U.S. and European Lexmark recycling partner, Sims Recycling Solutions, is one of the world’s largest electronics recycler and is R2 certified. Lexmark’s recycling partner in Canada is Quantum Lifecycle Partners, an ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 45001 and R2 certified recycler. Quantum works with Lexmark to recycle our consumer and corporate products and their packaging materials. Quantum provides comprehensive processing facilities for e-waste designed to effectively recover materials of electronic equipment.

Sims Recycling Solutions and Global Electronic Recycling (GER) handle our electronic waste from Mexico. GER is an ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and R2/RIOS™ Certified Electronics Recycler. Our recyclers processed more than 4,426 metric tons of electronic waste on behalf of Lexmark in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific in 2023.

The Lexmark service organization works with our recycling partners to reclaim parts that can be used to refurbish printers, which keeps the printers in service longer and reduces the need to recycle used hardware. Devices that are returned to Lexmark go through a process that assesses if they can be refurbished for reuse, and if not, they are harvested for parts that can be used in the refurbishment process.

Lexmark has additional programs in place to recycle printer packaging or other Lexmark hardware. Lexmark has established a shipping container reuse and recycle program with our primary electronic waste recycling partner. Additionally, wooden pallets are reused and recycled (damaged pallets are chipped and used as mulch), and certain types of Styrofoam are sent to an extruder for reuse.

Click here for additional information on Lexmark’s LECP program.

Electronic waste recycling by location

• United States

  In the United States, we offer the LECP. Through this program, customers may return any end-of-life Lexmark branded products to us, and we recycle the equipment at no charge. For business customers who are in the process of installing a large fleet of new Lexmark products, Lexmark develops customized collection strategies. We work in partnership with certified electronics-disposal agencies to collect used devices, mark them for recycling, and arrange for them to be sent to the nearest recycling facility. Electronic waste legislation has been proposed in a number of states in the United States. There are 14 states and the District of Columbia with enacted extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation that includes printers: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin. While the details of the legislation vary greatly from state to state, the basic tenet is that the producers of electronic devices are required to collect and responsibly recycle covered electronic devices at the end of the devices’ usable lives. In 2023, 1,541 metric tons of product was recycled in the United States, with 392 metric tons collected through the EPR programs and 1,149 metric tons collected through voluntary programs.

  

  A Lexmark printer hardware packaging return program is also in place in the U.S. Packaging material from Lexmark hardware including service parts may be returned to Lexmark for recycling. Customers may use their new printer’s packaging material to return their old Lexmark printer or they may return only the packaging material from their printer or hardware to Lexmark. For more details, click here.
   

• Canada

  Lexmark is a member of Electronic Product Stewardship Canada (EPSC), an organization dedicated to promoting and implementing sustainable solutions for end-of-life electronics. We participate in a number of government-sponsored and industry-supported recycling programs in Canada, which vary by province. All provinces require electronic manufacturers to pay a fee that is used to recycle electronic equipment in those respective provinces. In 2023, 156 metric tons of product was recycled in Canada, with 156 metric tons collected through the recycling programs and 0 metric tons collected through voluntary programs.

  

  
  In Ontario, the Electrical and Electronic Regulation under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016, went into effect January 1, 2021. The regulation places full end-of-life product responsibility on brand owners and manufacturers of products. In 2021, Lexmark contracted with Electronic Products Recycling Association (EPRA) in Ontario to fulfill its responsibility in recovering and recycling products and packaging at end-of-life.

  

  For customers that do not have a provincial recycling program, Lexmark offers product recycling through our Canadian Recycling Partner, Quantum. Click here for more information on printer recycling in Canada.

   

• Europe

  In many parts of Europe, our equipment take-back strategy is implemented through country-specific programs that are operated in accordance with the European Union (EU) Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (2012/19/EU). Consumers in the EU can take their equipment to locally authorized collection centers or, in some cases, to local retailers. For EU business customers, Lexmark has established a fully compliant logistics system for transporting used products to the nearest storage and sorting facility, where the equipment is properly processed for recycling.

  Click here to see more detailed LECP and WEEE compliance information.

• Asia Pacific

  The countries that make up Lexmark’s Asia Pacific region have enacted regulations mandating electronic waste recycling that vary from country to country to maximize the proper disposal and recycling of electronic waste and to minimize the impact to the environment. A primary focus for Lexmark’s Asia Pacific environmental work is to support the Australian national end-of-life electronic equipment and recycling program. Lexmark has joined a government approved service to offer customers an environmentally responsible choice for disposal of their end-of-life printers. Click here for more information on equipment recycling in Australia.

  In this end-of-life program, all information technology manufacturers and importers are responsible for their shares of actual waste collected. Customers return their end-of-life electronic equipment to designated collection points from which the waste is taken to central consolidation and collection points for recycling by accredited recycling operators.
  
  Proper disposal and recycling on WEEE generated in Hong Kong is guided by the Producer Responsibility Scheme on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WPRS). Lexmark works with a collector to deliver electronic waste to a licensed facility for proper recycling. The recycling facility turns regulated WEEE into valuable raw materials through a series of dismantling and recycling processes.

  The introduction of electronic waste laws in India has resulted in Lexmark working closely with the Indian Government to channel electronic waste from end-of-life products to authorized recyclers. Arrangements with authorized recyclers ensure the responsible disposal of electronic equipment to protect the environment and surrounding communities.

• Latin America

  The infrastructure for recycling electronic waste in the regions of Central and South America is emerging as national measures are taken to ensure proper disposal of end-of-life electronic equipment. Many countries and local governments have enacted forms of extended producer responsibility legislation. Lexmark is monitoring Latin America’s electronic waste legislation and is working with our recycling partners to set up regional recycling centers to meet these new requirements.
  
  Click here for more information on equipment recycling in Latin America. Click here for recycling in Brazil.