Kodak, Wal-Mart Launch National Recycling Program

Feb. 28 -- Eastman Kodak Co. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. have launched a national program to recycle waste materials from in-store photo kiosks.

Some 4,100 U.S. Wal-Mart and Sam´s Clubs stores that operate Kodak Picture Kiosks expect to annually recycle 2 million pounds thermal printer ribbon, spools and cartridges. Customers can make photo prints, enlargements, greeting cards and other items at the kiosks. The used materials consist primarily of polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene.

Wal-Mart will consolidate material collected from each store at its return centers and from there it will be reused and recycled with Eastman Kodak´s help.

"Kodak has a long record of responsible behavior related to environmental issues and this initiative is a world´s first in the photo kiosk business," said Nicki Zongrone, general manager of retail systems solutions and vice president of Eastman Kodak.