Waste Management

 

Sustainable waste management

At Lexmark, we’re committed to disposing waste generated by our worldwide facilities in a safe and responsible manner. Our facilities measure and report our generated waste and disposal methods to ensure we are making progress in our overall waste-reduction efforts. Waste management programs at our offices and manufacturing sites promote recycling and provide guidance to ensure our waste is responsibly managed.

Lexmark's path to zero waste

lexmark  recycle and reuse these materials
Lexmark's path to eliminating waste begins with our waste management and recycling programs at all our facilities worldwide. Each Lexmark manufacturing or research and development facility has a written plan to address the appropriate handling of waste generated at the site. The plan addresses the handling, storage and/or transportation of waste that is characterized and measured to determine areas of waste prevention. The waste is managed according to international best practice and follow all governmental regulations.

Lexmark continually works toward reducing the quantity of waste generated. Lexmark decreases our waste production by reducing waste at the source and recycling and reusing waste in an environmentally safe manner. Our facilities minimize waste through sustainable operations, lean manufacturing techniques and environmental management programs. 



Waste management data
Click here for detailed waste management data.
 

UNSDG12


Waste generation and recycling statistics

Lexmark generated a total of 8,483 metric tons of waste in 2022, with 98% of the waste generated worldwide being non-hazardous.Hazardous waste accounts for approximately 2% of Lexmark total waste. The primary hazardous waste materials are residues from manufacturing and development processes. Hazardous waste that is generated by Lexmark research and development, and manufacturing facilities is managed by external companies that specialize in the management of hazardous waste. Since our baseline year of 2015, we have reduced total waste generated by 11,809 metric tons or 58% with a target to achieve 50% by 2025.

Waste generation by classification

Waste recycling

Disposal methods for waste are determined through the collaborative efforts of Lexmark and our waste-management partners. Working together, we have identified new opportunities for recycling waste, reducing our usage of incineration and landfill while increasing usage of waste-to-energy recovery where other recycling options are unavailable. 


 

Development and production waste management and recycling

The development, quality testing and manufacturing of Lexmark imaging devices can result in the generation of unique waste streams. Waste from development and production is characterized as chemical waste (toner, component development and manufacturing), paper waste (print testing) or printers and other electronic components (performance and quality testing).

To eliminate hazards to human health and the environment from fires and releases of these waste products, each chemical usage facility provides controls for chemical, petroleum and waste storage tanks. The tanks are installed, operated, inspected and removed according to the specific and applicable governmental regulations. We limit the environmental impact of collected waste by giving it a second life. Chemical waste is primarily processed into usable heat, electricity or fuel through energy recovery. Examples of the waste stream utilization include toner waste reused as a colorant in ink, rubber as an asphalt additive to improve its performance, print testing paper recycled into innovative paper products, and cartridge materials that are reused or recycled.

1Waste data is from 100% of Lexmark’s owned development and manufacturing sites based on square feet.