Printer cartridges create 172 million pounds of landfill waste every year. That’s 345 million cartridges. They come from printers, fax machines and copiers all across the US and UK. For perspective, that weight is equivalent to 68,000 Mini Coopers; enough automobiles to fill some of the largest stadium car parks more than four times. This scenario is easy to change by recycling your cartridges. You’ll save money, energy and resources, too.

How Much Can Be Salvaged?

Ninety-seven per cent of the materials in cartridges can be recycled, or reused, according to Alameda County Waste Management Authority of California.

Why Recycle?

Landfill space is limited. Some estimate it takes 1,000 years for components in most cartridges to decompose. Figuring a generous 100 years per lifetime, that’s 10 lifetimes. Residual ink leaking from cartridges creates potential environmental hazards. In the UK, less than 30 per cent of used cartridges are recycled.

Energy and Resource Savings

Recycling of the components in cartridges uses about 80% less energy and resources than sourcing and manufacturing new cartridges. Lower energy expenditure means fewer emissions, and less pollution.

Cost Savings


Monetary savings from lower energy expenditure can yield more competitive pricing for cartridges. Remanufactured cartridges often cost consumers 30 to 50 per cent less than their new counterparts – and some provide nearly 20 per cent more toner, or ink as well.

High Quality


Remanufactured cartridges provide the same print quality and page output as new cartridges, according to research by New York\’s Rochester Institute of Technology. Standards for remanufacture are much higher than previous decades.

Longevity

Few cartridges fail to be renewable. Most cartridges can be refilled, or recycled between 5-7 times.

Recycling Process

Retailers, original manufacturers and remanufacturers may seek your spent cartridges. Some collect by post, while others provide pick-up locations. Cartridge components are disassembled, and then cleaned. Parts may be replaced. Ink or toner is refilled and then the cartridge undergoes quality testing. Cartridges that pass scrutiny are packaged for resale.

How To Find Recyclers

New cartridges often come with instructions for recycling. Some original manufacturers include pre-paid mailing envelopes for return of used cartridge. For the sender, it doesn’t get much easier.

Office supply shops sometimes have their own recycling programs. Customers may be rewarded with discounts, or rebates for each cartridge. Some organisations make charitable donations for each cartridge recycled.

Other recycling groups can be found by searching online. It may take a bit more effort to post your cartridge, but some groups offer the incentive of payment for certain cartridges. Check individual requirements and fine print, as this is always important.

Local groups may use cartridges in their fundraising plans. Churches, schools, charities, police, or fire and rescue services may be grateful for your used cartridge donation.

It’s easy to keep ninety-seven per cent of those 345 million printer cartridges out of landfills each year. Your recycling efforts save your money, conserve precious resources and use far less energy. In the process, you might even help your local community, or charities.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World, providers of recycled printer cartridges and toner cartridges.

Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World (http://www.cartridgeworld.co.uk), provider of recycled ink cartridges and toner cartridges.

Author Bio: Ben Greenwood is writing on behalf of Cartridge World, providers of recycled printer cartridges and toner cartridges.

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: recycling, recycled printer cartridges, inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges