(1)   Does the department have a policy regarding the use of remanufactured printer products as opposed to buying new ones; if so, does the department assess the cost and re-useability of the product as part of its decision-making in regard to the policy.

(2)   Does the department have a policy directive to use remanufactured printer products and, by doing so, lower the balance of payments through reducing imports.

(3)   What environmental standard has the department put in place in regard to the disposal of printer cartridges.

(4)   Is the Minster aware that several of the printer companies are now putting chips in printer cartridges so that they cannot be re-used.

(5)   Does the department have any contractual arrangements with Lexmark or Epson; if so, is the department party to any ‘Prebate’ program.

(6)   Does the department know what happens to the printer cartridges when they are empty.

(7)   With whom does the department hold a printer supply contract and what are the conditions of the contract.

(8)   How much does the department spend on printer cartridges each financial year.

(9)   Does the department use Planet Ark to recycle cartridges.

(10)   Does the department use foreign companies such as Corporate Express when purchasing printer cartridges.

(1)   As part of any cost consideration the department assesses all potential options to ensure best value for money and this includes product reusability.

(2)   As part of any cost consideration the department assesses all potential options to ensure best value for money and this includes product reusability.

(3)   The department provides toner recycling boxes to encourage all toner cartridges and other printing consumables be recycled.

(4)   The department is aware that some printer companies build microchips into their printer cartridges to reduce the use of third-party or refilled cartridges. The advice is that these cartridges can be reused by returning them to the original manufacturer.

(5)   The department does not have any contractual arrangements with Lexmark or Epson;

(6)   The department’s empty printer cartridges are removed from the machine and placed into Planet Ark toner recycling boxes. These cartridges are then sent to a recycling plant in Melbourne where they are recycled for all plastic, glass, metal, toner/developer and oil. The plastic is reused for items such as rulers and park benches.

(7)   The department currently has contracts with Fuji Xerox for the Provision of Printer, Photocopier, Scanner and Facsimile machines and with Ricoh for the supply of Printers and Multifunction devices.

(8)   The bulk of the department’s toner is included in the ongoing equipment maintenance charge under existing contracts with Ricoh and Fuji Xerox. This is charged on a per copy basis. The department spent a further $201,861 (inc GST) during 07/08 on other toner cartridges.

(9)   The department uses Planet Ark to recycle cartridges.

(10)   The department has a contract with Corporate Express to supply printer cartridges for personal printers. Toner cartridges for network printers and multifunction devices are supplied under contractual arrangements with Fuji Xerox and Ricoh.