Useful Information Tips & Advice Printer Cartridges Explained Why use recycled printer cartridges Why use recycled printer cartridges
Learn the benefits of using recycled printer cartridges, and help do your bit by recycling.
Ink Jet Cartridge Recycling
Remanufacturing 500 million inkjet cartridges will save an estimated 4 million cubic feet of landfill space in just one year. On average, most ink cartridges can be recycled more than once. 93% of ink jet cartridges are suitable for recycling.
Laser Toner Recycling
About 30 million laser toner cartridges are sold each year. Approximately two pints of oil are required to produce each new cartridge. Each discarded empty laser printer cartridge adds approximately three pounds of waste to our landfills; waste that will take as long as 10 centuries to decompose. Currently around 30% of laser toner cartridges sold in the UK is currently being recycled.
Why Purchase Recycled
Cartridges are made of plastic, iron and aluminium parts. None of these parts are biodegradable and all are recyclable. Ink powder contains cyanide, which can pollute the water and soil. It is recoverable through recycling.
Save landfill space
Based on the average cost per page, there is an annual savings on Recycled laser toner cartridges of 20% to 50% The quality of remanufactured toner cartridges equals that of new toner cartridges. Remanufactured toner cartridges from directcartridges.co.uk are recycled using the highest quality parts and drums. All our recycled laser cartridges are guaranteed to be defect free.
Interesting Facts
By the year 2005, there will be over 400 million ink jet cartridges sold. If these ink jet cartridges were laid end-to-end, they would
- Stretch from London to Washington DC, and back again!
- Stretch across 200,000 football fields.
- Stacked one on top of one another, 400 million ink jet cartridges would reach over 11,000 thousand miles high
- Since 1984, enough used cartridges have been discarded in the to cover a highway 30 feet wide and over 900 miles long.
- Next year another 150 miles would be added if not for recycling. Almost three ounces of oil are required to produce a new inkjet cartridge.
- In just seven months, cartridge recycling can save over 11 million gallons of oil. This is more oil than what was tragically spilled by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989.
How Recycled Printer Cartridges Are Made
Used ink jet cartridges are sent to our recycling facility where they are dismantled. The parts are cleaned, tested, reworked, and replaced, if necessary, before being reassembled. The old ink or toner powder is disposed of correctly and any parts that can’t be reused are recycled.
Laser toner cartridges are more complicated to recycle. Basically, the process is as follows:
The first step is to inspect the cartridge for leaks or damage. Then the drum is tested for scratches, lines or leaks. (Most need replacement.) The cartridge is taken apart; thoroughly cleaned and worn parts are replaced. Toner is refilled and tested and then finally, it is tested before being bagged for use by consumers.
How the Quality Compares
Remanufactured cartridges from directcartridges.co.uk are of good quality, with low failure rates. As with most products, you get what you pay for. There is a wide variety in pricing of recycled cartridges - those variations are due to quality. Higher costs in recycled cartridges mean higher quality components. Beware of "drill-and-fill" vendors who just refill empty cartridges. (directcartridges.co.uk does not sell drill and fill products)
Remanufactured inkjet and toner cartridges for inkjet and laser printers are widely available from directcartridges.co.uk.
Cost
One of the clearest advantages of using remanufactured inkjet and toner cartridges is cost savings. Compared to new cartridges, recycled printer cartridges commonly cost 20% to 60% less, and in some cases 80% less depending upon the model. Remanufactured cartridges are a good value because product quality and performance can match or exceed that of new cartridges.
