LaserTech Ethiopia Ltd; Ethiopia's first recycling and remanufacturing company of cartridges and toners Per annum, at least 4,800,000 cartridges and toners are imported into Ethiopia. Duties are extremely high and recycling and remanufacturing of cartridges in a responsible way are non-existent.The applicant Lasertech Kenya and the local partner Rina International Trading Plc. propose to set up a cartridge and toner recycling facility equipped with specialised machinery for refurbishment and testing in Tefke, right next to Sebeta township, Ethiopia. The joint venture will be named LaserTech Ethiopia.The partners distinguish a favourable climate to start up this business in Ethiopia. They indicate a significant need for affordable cartridges and toners of good quality, a shortage of foreign currency to pay for imports, plus very high duties and taxes of about 50% on imports of cartridges and toners.The environmental impact of this project can be significant, since currently most cartridges and toners are being dumped in the garbage. Via this project, the project partners want to create environmental impact and inform citizens about the consequences of dumping the cartridges and toners.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)LaserTech Ethiopia will offer a solution to the current dumping of cartridges and toners which is very environmentally unfriendly. The company will incorporate an environmentally responsible way of handling their waste disposal. The partners will work together with Close the Loop, an Australian recycling company with the specific goals of recycling toner and inkjet cartridges, to recycle the plastic parts that finish as waste. The ink waste will be recycled for the use of dying textiles and the production of shoe polish. Furthermore, the partners aim to implement a CSR-policy which will include social standards like competitive salaries, health protection, healthcare programmes, food, child care for women and personal care. At the farm of Golden Rose which is beside the project premises, there is a clinic, a school and a nursery (day-care) for staffs' children.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsIn total, 30 jobs will be created, of which 8 are basic-level jobs and 22 high-level jobs. The total number of jobs two years after the end of the project will be 38.The number of indirect employment is estimated at 28 jobs. Two years after the end of the project this will be about 52 indirect jobs.Forty to 50 persons will be hired as collectors and will work on a commission basis.The partners will provide with good working conditions and benefits to serve their employees.•	Innovation/Transfer of knowledgeThe employees will acquire new skills and knowledge in the field of remanufacturing and refurbishing cartridges. This technical know-how is currently not present in Ethiopia.•	Chain effectsThe parties that will benefit from the joint venture's activities are the customers who currently have to purchase imported cartridges and toners. LaserTech will also provide smaller companies and private persons with cartridges, who currently cannot afford them.Third parties, like shop owners and independent collectors will benefit from this project since their income will rise and new job opportunities will be provided.•	EnvironmentThis project will set an example and create awareness for the public. Currently, all damaged and non-refillable cartridges and toners end up in the garbage. Toner is a very fine powder which is cancerous and is so fine that it can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream directly. Inhalation of toner is also dangerous.A lot of toner and cartridges have a selenium drum. Selenium has a very negative impact on the environment.LaserTech Ethiopia will maintain appropriate measures regarding public health, hygiene, solid waste, liquid waste, sewage, water usage and energy saving.•	Position of womenThe project will strive to employ at least 60% woman. To set up a cartridge and toner recycling facility which on full capacity will recycle 42,000 toner cartridges, 16,800 inkjet cartridges and 42,000 ribbon cartridges.