Our Story

A Vision Beyond Waste

At Close the Loop, we don’t see waste as an ending, we see it as the start of something better. Our story is one of transforming discarded materials into valuable resources, creating systems that empower circularity and delivering solutions that preserve our planet for future generations.

We exist to lead the way toward a future where nothing ends up in landfill and every product has a sustainable next life.

How It Started

Our journey began in 2001 in Melbourne, Australia, with a bold idea: to collect and recycle printer cartridges in a smarter, more sustainable way. What started as a small-scale toner recovery initiative quickly evolved into a larger mission, to close the loop on all materials and empower businesses to take responsibility for their products from start to finish.

Milestones Over The Years

2001: Founded in Melbourne, Australia with a vision of zero waste to landfill.

2003: Cartridges 4 Planet Ark program launches, creating Australia’s first national printer cartridge recycling network.

2007: Expanded into the United States, building international collection and recycling networks.

2016: Acquired ClozDLoop BVBA (Belgium), strengthening Close the Loop’s European recycling footprint.

2021: Close the Loop Ltd (ASX: CLG) formed through a merger with O F Packaging, uniting resource recovery and packaging innovation under one ASX-listed entity.

2022: Integration of packaging and recycling operations under the unified Close the Loop Group, expanding circular solutions across Australia, USA, and Europe.

2023: Acquired In-Plas Recycling (US), expanding soft-plastics recycling and plastics reprocessing capability in North America.

Acquired and integrated ISP Tek Services (US), accelerating CTL’s ITAD and refurbishment expansion.

Feb 2024: Launched an upgraded Melbourne soft-plastics processing line, ramping to over 1 tonne per hour capacity (approximately 4-5× previous) and producing high-value recycled products including TonerPlas® and rFlex®.

2025: IMMEX-approved facility in Mexicali, Mexico begins operations, supporting IT asset disposition, refurbishment, and soft-plastics recovery across North America.

Today, Close the Loop is operating across Australia, the Americas, and EMEA, servicing global brands with end-to-end circular solutions.

What Drives Us

We are driven by purpose: to eliminate waste and give materials a second life. Whether it’s hard-to-recycle plastics, printer cartridges, cosmetics, or e-waste, we find solutions where others see challenges.

Innovation, collaboration, and accountability are at the heart of everything we do.

From Local Roots to Global Impact

What began in a single Melbourne facility has grown into a network of circular solutions.

Close the Loop now operates in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., EMEA, and South Africa, partnering with global OEMs, local councils, and major brands. 

Our projects include Cartridges 4 Planet Ark, TonerPlas® asphalt, and custom packaging recovery, demonstrating scalable circular solutions that range from community drop-off points to major infrastructure partnerships.

Culture of Innovation & Circularity

Innovation is core to our DNA. Our R&D teams have developed proprietary technologies and materials like rFlex® and TonerPlas®, transforming complex waste streams into high-value, reusable outputs. Every initiative we launch is designed with circularity in mind, not just to recycle, but to regenerate.

We believe leadership comes from doing the right thing,  not just when it’s easy, but when it matters most. From extended producer responsibility programs to carbon-neutral operations and local community initiatives, we lead by example, enabling businesses to meet their ESG targets with integrity and transparency.

Leadership Through Responsibility

Brand Values & Beliefs

Circular Thinking
Every material deserves another life

Environmental Justice
Sustainable solutions must be accessible and scalable

Accountability
We take ownership of the products, systems and outcomes we create

Collaboration
Systemic change requires working together

Transparency
Open, honest communication with partners and communities

Looking Ahead

As global consumption grows, so does the need for smarter, circular systems.  Close the Loop continues to push boundaries, investing in new technologies, expanding globally, and helping brands build truly sustainable supply chains. Our vision remains clear and unwavering: a world where waste no longer exists.