How Recycled Printer Ink Cartridges Are Helping The Planet - By: Kathryn Dawson

Green has been the predominant colour of the last two decades, politically at least. Environmental issues, drives to save the rain forests and promotions to encourage a take up of a greener, more environmentally kind lifestyle have been part and parcel of the political and social landscape since the 1980s. It is good to know then that even printer ink cartridges have managed to make their contribution to a cleaner Earth.

If the truth is known, traditionally, printing was not the most environmentally friendly industry in existence, with its use of paper, inks and plastics particularly high. Recent estimates from the UK alone put the number of prints each year into the billions. So many businesses and home offices use ink cartridges in their equipment that they have actually been amongst the most prevalent potential sources of pollution.

However, regardless of the type of cartridge required, be it Brother ink cartridges or even coloured Epson ink cartridges, a greener option is always available. There are two ways for a person to choose greener, such by purchasing only recycled cartridges and to donate cartridges for recycling.

Recycling is an established method of helping out the environment, and it has become common practice for manufacturers to provide ink products that are made of recycled material. Recycled cartridges are, in effect, remanufactured cartridges. These are used original cartridges that have been put through a lengthy and detailed process to prepare them for sale again.

The process involves cleaning them thoroughly, then servicing and repairing them, before refilling them with ink. These remanufactured cartridges are then repackaged and placed on sale to the public. They can be recycled up to four or five times before they will need to be discarded. However, in that time, the number of new cartridges manufactured will have fallen as a direct result of recycling.

This has proven to be highly successful, not just because of the good feeling that a person can get from knowing that they have helped the environment. There is also the added pleasure of knowing that some savings have been made, with the price of recycled cartridges markedly lower than those available from the original manufacturers. Obviously, this has a knock on effect with the extra saved then invested in other needs for the office, such as new equipment.

The second method of contributing to the environment is by donating empty cartridges, either to charities or directly to the companies that will remanufacture and recycle them. It is not unusual for large office complexes to include a recycling centre on their grounds, where office waste plastics and paper can be gathered. Taking the correct waste to these depots is important as it is an active method of environmentalism.

However, there is also the donation choice. Empty ink cartridges can fetch a few pounds each as items set for remanufacturing. So, not only is there a set value for the empty case itself, but a value for charities looking to raise money for their cause.

Finally, purchasing remanufactured cartridges from an online store benefits the environment too, though in a more indirect way. Because the whole transaction takes place via the internet, there is no travelling involved, which immediately saves on energy consumption. There is no fuel burned from driving, no increase in traffic congestion and no addition to noise pollution.

There is also the fact that by purchasing from an online business, less energy and resources are also drained. Since online stores occupy only virtual space and makes use of already existing modes of delivery, for example the postal service, there is no extra pressure placed on the environment.

Whatever way it is viewed, the benefits of having printer ink cartridges recycled, or remanufactured, are clear. The environment gets a little cleaner, the remanufacturing companies get their brother, hp or Epson ink cartridges to turn into product, charities raise funds and offices have an avenue through which to clear out the junk and feel good about it.

From a business perspective, though, the most cost efficient ink purchase option is rejuvenated thanks to the continued influx of used cartridges to be recycled. Certainly, in being resold, reused and returned again, Brother ink cartridges could hardly have thought they would be so useful.

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson writes about a leading supplier of printer ink cartridges and all things printer related. From Dell printers to HP Photosmart, Lexmark, epson ink cartridges, brother ink cartridges and everything beyond and between Cartridge Shop has all.

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