Ink & Toner

Like anything else worthwhile, recycling is a habit that we must incorporate in our daily lives. It is very easy to simply throw items away when that pesky recycling bin isn’t conveniently located close to our desk. We have to consciously cultivate a habit of recycling. Many find that easier to do when they understand how their actions affect the “Big Picture” as well as their own wallets. Here are some facts about recycling ink and toner cartridges that may surprise you.

o There are about a billion toner and ink jet cartridges shipped through the world in a year’s time.
o One laser toner cartridge takes approximately one gallon of oil to produce
o Each laser cartridge puts over two pounds of plastic in a landfill.
o Ink and toner cartridges put on a landfill today will still be here 450 years from now. In other words, if the pilgrim had a printer cartridge when they came over on the Mayflower, that cartridge would still be around today.
o 70% of users throw away their cartridges
o Over 300 million ink and toner cartridges are thrown away in the United States each year. That is about one for every man, woman, and child in the United States.
o Remanufacturing toner cartridges can save over 11 million gallons of oil per year.
o Recycling ink and toner cartridges can keep over 120 million tons of waste out of landfills each year.
o Buying a remanufactured ink or toner cartridge is usually 30% to 50% less than buying an OEM or name brand cartridge. That’s significant considering that many OEM can cost upward of $30.
o With today’s technology, remanufactured ink and toner cartridges deliver the same quality as OEM cartridges. There have even been instances of superior quality and page yield.
o Refillers and name brand manufacturers know that cartridges can be refilled and restored at a much lower cost than it took to originally produce them. That is why they offer credit for cartridges returned and include prepaid postage envelopes so you can send the cartridge back to them.

So not only is recycling your ink or toner good for the environment, it is good for your finances. Recycling ink and toner just makes sense. Don’t throw that cartridge away. Set it aside for your next trip to town and stop by your local ink and toner refill specialists and see what credit you can get. You will also be surprised to learn how much less it is to use a remanufactured cartridge for your printer. Most big box stores will offer credit as well. If nothing else, use the postage paid envelope that is in the box. Its the right thing to do.