Canon Earns Recognition for Global Sustainability Efforts
The company was named a leader in sustainability programs by the IDC MarketScape assessment.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Environmental
IDC MarketScape recently recognized Canon as a leader in worldwide sustainability programs and services among printer and copier vendors. This designation follows the company's recent expansion of its remanufacturing operations into the United States.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the shift in the imaging industry toward circular manufacturing models that prioritize component reuse and recycling. It reflects a growing institutional focus on reducing industrial waste across global supply chains.
The IDC study evaluated 11 vendors, with Canon's remanufactured units containing at least 90% components from used products. The company currently maintains toner recycling programs across 24 countries.
The players
Canon
Canon is a global corporation specializing in optical, imaging, and industrial products with annual revenues of approximately $29.5 billion.
IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape is a research firm that provides comparative assessments of information technology and telecommunications vendors.
The details
Canon utilizes proprietary processes to remanufacture multifunction printers at facilities in Japan and Germany, with operations expanding to the United States in April 2026. The firm also recovers plastic from toner cartridges to manufacture new supplies, building on a recycling initiative active since 1990.
Timeline
1990: Canon began its toner cartridge recycling program.
2023: Canon first received IDC MarketScape sustainability recognition.
April 2026: Canon expanded remanufacturing operations to the United States.
June 2026: IDC MarketScape published the sustainability vendor assessment.
October 15, 2026: Canon U.S.A. announced the sustainability recognition.
The Big Picture
The IDC MarketScape sustainability vendor assessment establishes a standardized benchmark for corporate environmental responsibility. This story follows the pattern set by the previous 2023 assessment that first identified Canon as a leader in environmental programs.
The expansion of remanufacturing operations could provide consumers with more sustainable hardware options in the United States. Future technological developments may lead to increased availability of products built with higher percentages of recycled components.
The takeaway
Companies are increasingly adopting circular manufacturing to reduce reliance on virgin materials. Consumers can support these efforts by participating in manufacturer-led recycling programs for empty toner cartridges.
Further reading
For more on industry environmental trends, see our Environmental section.
