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The E.P.A. (EPA) announced today that it has reached a settlement with ReInk Imaging U.S.A. Ltd. for violations of Underground Injection Control regulations. The settlement resolves allegations against Renewable Resources, Incorporated for disposing of ink waste into a shallow Class V well at a facility in Cookeville, Tennessee. Disposal into the well has ceased. ReInk purchased the facility from Renewable, and has agreed to a $9,000 penalty as well as a supplemental environmental plan (SEP) to recycle ink cartridges. SEPs are plans which a respondent or defendant agrees to undertake as a condition of settlement of an enforcement case.
The SEP, entitled the R-World Ink Jet Cartridge Collection Program, will benefit the environment by reclaiming and recycling ink jet cartridges. Because residual ink clings to used cartridges and can end up in groundwater underneath landfills, this plan will eliminate that potential source of pollution, as well as conserve the resources otherwise used to produce new cartridges. The plan is designed to develop a consistent and growing supply of used cartridges, and will reward R-World participants for collection of used cartridges.
In 2001, over 250 million ink jet cartridges ended up in North American landfills. By 2003, this number is expected to increase to 400 million cartridges -- greater than the U.S. population. Over 90% of these cartridges are produced by 4 major ink jet printer manufacturers, Hewlett Packard (HP), Lexmark, Canon and Epson. Presently, less than ten percent of these cartridges are recycled. Reink Imaging produces a product line of water-based ink jet inks, and has formulated environmentally safe ink components to refill used ink jet cartridges. ReInk's cartridge recycling facility in Cookeville, Tenn., will have the capability to recycle all the major brands of cartridges.
Jimmy Palmer, Regional Administrator for E.P.A. Region four in Atlanta, said, "The R-World SEP is just the type of innovative solution to environmental issues that E.P.A. wants to encourage. The plan represents a sustainable result, enhancing economic and community values while protecting the environment."
In the R-World program, ReInk will pay a premium to local community groups for return of spent cartridges, and will assist them in setting up a collection program. Schools, churches, service clubs, scout programs, and similar organizations can earn funds for their groups through this program. For information on participating in the R-World program, contact Reink Imaging, Cookeville, Tennessee at 931-537-3579 for details.
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