MANILA, Philippines - Twenty years since it started the world's first ink cartridge recycling program, Canon Marketing Philippines is officially bringing the program to the Philippines through a GreenNation campaign.

GreenNation is Canon's flagship environmental campaign to instill awareness among its Filipino consumers. Among other programs, it includes an ink cartridge collection program where consumers can drop their used Canon PIXMA and Selphy ink cartridges in specialized 4-feet Canon bins.

CMPI President and CEO (left) with Ms. Philippines Earth beauty queens. The cartridge-like bin (right) will be placed in select Canon stores in Metro Manila. The smaller version will be for offices.

"We think there are many other things in preserving the environment. With the program, we want to promote and educate correct disposal," Canon Marketing Manager Margarita Escueta told the press at a launch on Thursday.

Once placed in the bins, cartridges are taken apart and materials like metals, plastics, sponges and ink residues are separated. Metal and plastic are remolded to make new ink cartridges.

"The campaign... works better for PIXMA or Selphy printers compared to refilling them with non-Canon ink. Doing so eventually damages printers," Canon said in a press release.

The imaging giant also reiterated that the ink cartridge recycling program "drastically reduces landfill" by around 86%. Canon claims a successful zero landfill waste campaign in Japan in 2003.

The ink cartridge-styled bins will be available in select Canon centers: Canon Showroom in McKinley Hill, Taguig, Canon Customer Care Center in Paseo De Magallanes, Makati, Canon Customer Care Center in Liberty, Mandaluyong, Canon Dzone Megamall, Canon Dzone Mall of Asia, Canon Dzone SM North EDSA, Canon Dzone Glorietta, and Canon Dzone TriNoma.