Printer Cartridge Recycling

By: Rafi Michael

Ninety percent of the homes and offices that have computers have printers. On average, home users use a minimum of two ink cartridges per year. Offices on the other hand use an average of six cartridges per year. This tremendously raises the demand of ink toner cartridges. Recycling the cartridges thus helps ease the demand on the new ink toner manufacturers. Remanufactured toner cartridges cost up to 10 percent the cost of new cartridges and are therefore an economical way of handling the enormous printing needs arising from the workplace. Unfortunately, not many take printer cartridge seriously. Today, only 15 percent of cartridges are being recycled. This in turn leads to huge landfills in the dumpsites. The material used to make the cartridge contains grade polymers that take long time before decomposing. It is therefore more environmental friendly for people to prefer printer cartridge recycling.

In realization of the advantages of remanufactured cartridges, most ink/toner manufacturing companies nowadays provide instructions written on the cartridge package, stating what one should do if they want to reuse the cartridge. Some even provide end users with free postage for any empty cartridge. Such also offer to refill the cartridges and redeliver them to the end users free. The only charges passed to the consumer in this case are therefore related to the ink or toner refill. The process of remanufacturing the cartridges involves checking the cartridges for any defaults, cleaning, replacing some parts and refilling them. This is done in order to make sure that the end users receive quality performance from the remanufactured cartridge supplies. The real motivation behind the recycling enthusiasm is the fact that a person can save nearly half of the money they would have spent on new inkjet or laser cartridges. The remanufactured cartridge refills. The companies also provide photocopy and fax supplies.

Consumers overtime have realized that recycled cartridges offer the same quality printing services like the new one. However, they are those who still believe that the new cartridges are of superior quality. To that, the manufacturers serve them diligently by providing reliable, quality cartridges. However, people who find that the printing budget is running out of hand, retailers suggest the recycled options.

Professionals who know the right inks and toners to use for the refills handle printer cartridge recycling. This ensures that the high print quality is maintained and that the end users develop confidence in the products. Consumer education is also part of the initiative that remanufacturing companies are taking up in order to enlighten the end user on the importance reshipping used cartridges for recycling. Some companies even offer to buy the cartridges at a small fee in events where the end user does not want the recycled cartridge for personal use. Overall, remanufacturing the cartridges saves resources as well as protecting the environment from degradation. In a word where technology has become part of our everyday life, it is apparent that the remanufactured cartridges will save money, energy, minimize waste and create jobs in the remanufacturing industry.