Brother’s Renew program makes cartridge recycling easy. Customers simply return used ink and toner cartridges through free return options across Europe. From there, Brother ensures that cartridges are reprocessed to meet the same quality standards as new products, without sending a single unit to landfill. Currently, Brother reprocesses around 3 million cartridges annually — and aims to grow that number significantly.
Over 100 steps to renew cartridges
Returned cartridges go through a meticulous, 100-step reprocessing cycle in Brother-owned facilities. Unlike typical recycling, Brother’s approach retains the structure and function of cartridges by disassembling, replacing worn parts, cleaning, and reassembling each unit. Around 86 % of returned toner cartridges can be reprocessed this way, while the remaining 14 % are recycled for material reuse. This model not only guarantees quality but also significantly reduces environmental impact.
Certified carbon-neutral factories in Europe
Brother operates two recycling plants in Europe, one in the UK and one in Slovakia. These facilities are certified carbon-neutral and zero-waste. They are powered by solar energy and geothermal systems. Full in-house control ensures the circular process is traceable, efficient, and adheres to the company’s high environmental standards.
Reprocessing is not just recycling
Recycling breaks down materials. Reprocessing, by contrast, restores the original product. This distinction is vital. Brother’s certified Blue Angel toner cartridges are proof of a closed-loop approach that prioritizes reuse over raw material extraction, supporting both sustainability and product reliability.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
