Recycling Ink and Toner Cartridges

Recycling has taken many forms, as the "go green" movement has evolved. Business owners are now taking recycling and conservation seriously, as their ecological conscience guides them.

One of the newest and cost-productive means of recycling is that of ink and toner cartridges. This has become a viable means of waste management and resource efficiency. Ink cartridge manufacturers are guiding consumers and businesses, in choosing cartridges that will impact waste reduction efforts.

Cartridges are labeled, so that recommended guidelines can be followed. Products labeled as NZ licensed (environmental choice) are highly recommended. EMS labels indicate products that do not equate with maximized impact reduction, and should be avoided. Look for performance guarantees, when purchasing recycled or re-manufactured cartridges; or purchase new cartridges, with recycled contents.

One of the best aspects of recycling ink cartridges is that it is virtually cost-free. Businesses can find recyclers to take their used cartridges, and pay for the shipping. Some of these recycling companies will even pay the business for their waste (check with your local Office Max store). This, of course, is a cost-savings, rather than throwing away cartridges, and then buying new ones. Even better, it is oftentimes cheaper to buy the recycled cartridges back, than to buy a new one. Recycled cartridges have become increasingly less expensive than new ones. The net effect of all of this is that the more ink cartridges are recycled, the cheaper they become, and the more viable the cartridge recycling market becomes. It is a revolving cycle, with many benefits. There are other cost-saving aspects to maximizing resource efficiency, when it comes to ink cartridges. Reducing printing demands, by using electronic means, and using smaller fonts, for space efficiency, are two more options. As fewer cartridges are purchased and used, the fewer products need to be recycled or re-manufactured.

The impact of recycling ink cartridges, on our environment, is monumental. It isn't simply the ink that is being recycled. Plastic and metal waste are being diverted from our landfills. When the plastic casings of the cartridges begin to decompose, poisonous toxins are seeping into our soil and water. Reducing cartridge manufacturing lowers net energy use, which ultimately impacts climate change. Further, reducing the amount of plastic products being used reduces the amount of oil that is consumed. Plastic cannot be manufactured, without oil. Eventually, greenhouse gases are affected, with respect to global climate change.

Recycling ink cartridges is really quite simple and cost-free. Finding a recycling company to take cartridges is not always a necessity either. It is quite simple to refill empty cartridges; and they can be taken into most office supply stores, for refills.

In conclusion, if I were going to give each aspect of recycling cartridges, as a viable conservation alternative, it be as follows, with a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being most prohibitive and 5 being most beneficial):

When it comes to cost to the business, it would be nonsensical to give it anything lower than a 5. If there is a cost anywhere, I can't see it. Again, when it comes to cost-savings, I would have to give recycling cartridges a 5; because it is impossible not to save money, with this type of recycling. When it comes to ease of implementation, I would give a score of 4. There is a small amount of legwork to be done, simply to assess the best method of recycling cartridges, whether it is having them shipped out and then buying them back, or refilling the cartridges themselves. The impact that this type of recycling has, on the environment, requires a score of 5. The impact is so huge, and there is so little that needs to be done, to achieve it.

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