Kodak and Wal-Mart launch recycling program

ROCHESTER, N.Y. and BENTONVILLE, Ark. Eastman Kodak and Wal-Mart Stores today announced the launch of a national program to recycle used materials from in-store picture kiosks. The program is underway at about 4,100 Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Clubs in the U.S. that operate Kodak Picture Kiosks, and is expected to annually recycle two million pounds of thermal printer ribbon, spools and cartridges.

“Our partnership with Kodak to recycle materials from the photo kiosks in our stores is another step towards achieving our zero waste goal,” said Lori Kumar, divisional merchandise manager for Wal-Mart. “This initiative complements a number of other recycling programs in our photo department, including the recycling of silver, one-time use camera bodies and film canisters.” 

The Wal-Mart recycling program will include all three components used in the kiosk: printer ribbon, plastic spools and cartridges. These components are primarily made of polyethylene terphthalate (PETE) and polystyrene, which are plastics that are widely recycled today.

These materials will be collected in each store and sent regularly to one of several Wal-Mart Return Centers. From there, Wal-Mart recyclers, with Kodak’s assistance, will separate the materials and process them for re-use. In a related effort to further reduce waste and impact to the environment, Kodak has introduced a change in the way these thermal materials are packaged by removing the bubble wrap around the donor spool which decreases the overall package size and weight.