Johannesburg, 23 Nov 2017
It is estimated that over 1.3 billion printer cartridges are sold every year, and according to the International Data Corporation (IDC), more than 12 million laser and ink cartridges are imported into South Africa annually. (http://blog.greenoffice.co.za/the-environmental-costs-of-office-printing)
The question is, how many of these laser and ink cartridges end up in landfills?
GreenABLE: A green printing solution
As a managed print services (MPS) provider with a focus on environmental sustainability and efficiency, Green Office decided to address this issue, and live up to the ethos of its company name, by creating a social and environmental programme called GreenABLE, to reduce the environmental impact of print cartridges, while also creating employment opportunities.
Today, Green Office is proud to announce that GreenABLE is the winner of the 2017 South African Breweries (SAB) Foundation's Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards (https://sandtonchronicle.co.za/189955/driving-south-africas-social-innovation). As one of 300 entries nationwide, GreenABLE has been honoured as one of the 24 best Social and Disability Innovations in South Africa, and the winner of first place in the Disability Empowerment sector of the awards.
Addressing environmental issues with social innovation
To be selected for this award, GreenABLE went through a rigorous, phased adjudication process, which included due diligence site visits, a photo and video shoot and a series of pitching workshops held in Sandton, Johannesburg.
GreenABLE's winning video
This recognition also includes financial support for the future growth of the organisation, a personal mentor and technical assistant from the Technology Innovation Agency, as well as business development support from the SAB Foundation and BIZASSIST.
As a now proud member of the SABF family, GreenABLE is now well positioned to expand its programme and continue to convert e-waste into meaningful employment opportunities that reduce environmental impact.
GreenABLE mission: "Know me for my ability, not my disability"
GreenABLE is a unique workplace incubator, and is changing the lives of previously disadvantaged people with disabilities by empowering them with education, work integration and life skills, while contributing to the country's green economy goals through printer cartridge recycling and remanufacturing.
To outline GreenABLE's overall ethos, here are the programme's (http://greenable.co.za/about-greenable/) core goals and objectives:
1. Job creation
2. Skills development
3. Employment
4. Collaborative partnerships
5. Sustainability
6. Environmental stewardship
GreenABLE is also proud to have been honoured with a number of other awards, but the most significant achievement is the difference it has made in the lives of the people who are and have been part of the GreenABLE team.
Do you know the true environmental costs of office printing?
Find out more about how you can contribute to creating employment opportunities and reduce your carbon footprint with Green Office's range of MPS services by visiting the company Web site: www.greenoffice.co.za.
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