Posts Tagged ‘Ink Cartridges’

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How Ink Cartridges are Made

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Ever wondered how ink cartridges are manufactured?

Well have a look at this video of Jettec in action.

Jettec are a renowned UK Ink remanufacturing company. They offer a broad range of compatible and remanufactured inkjet cartridges covering Epson, Brother, Canon, Dell, HP, Lexmark and Samsung printers. Additionally, their award winning Extra life technology, allows the consumer to obtain up to 100% more prints than the original.

Quote From Phil Sneath, Senior Account Manager at DCI:

‘We have managed to sustain an phenomenal rate of growth and demand for our products has not wavered despite challenging trading conditions. This is partly down to the high quality of our products, which drives repeat sales and helps us to retain and grow our client base. But it is also because, as a business, we are constantly evolving and finding new ways to promote our green agenda whilst keeping our costs competitive and overheads minimized by refusing to outsource. At times like this it is fundamental that business’ take inspiration from other successful UK based organizations. We feel that British manufacturers need to encourage retailers and suppliers to strongly promote British made goods and produce in order to protect the interests of British industry’.

Ink and Media are delighted to be authorized Jettec retailers, supplying their full product range.

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Buying Bulk Ink The Pro's & Con's

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Those who use a lot of ink or toner for printing may want to consider purchasing the cartridges in bulk. This way, you are able to save money and you will always have extra cartridges on hand. Nothing is more annoying than working on a large project late into the night, only to find you are unable to print everything because you have run short on ink. By purchasing it in bulk, you will not have to worry about this happening.

The main advantage to buying ink or toner cartridges in bulk is the savings you will get. Just like purchasing other items in bulk, the manufacturer rewards you for your commitment. The fact that less packaging is being used is another reason for the cost savings. Considering how expensive printer ink and toner refills can be, it is great to be able to save even a small percentage of what you would normally pay.

Keep in mind though, if you are planning to purchase bulk ink, you will need to use it by a certain date. Ink cartridges have expiration dates, and many do not allow you to use them beyond that date. The actual cartridge may have a chip that prevents use. This is because dried ink inserted into a printer can damage the printer. The manufacturer does not want to be responsible for damage caused by expired ink.

The best way to determine if you should be buying ink or toner in bulk is to calculate your usage for a three month period. Once you have determined exactly what you are using, you will be able to determine if it is possible to use a bulk supply by an expiration date. Many companies allow you to choose how many cartridges you will purchase. This way, you are able to keep a six month supply on hand, knowing it will be used by the time it expires. If you are going to be keeping a bulk supply of ink on hand, be sure you store it properly. The supply will need a cool, dry location, preferably out of direct sunlight.

Some printers allow you to insert excess ink into a reservoir. If you have a printer like this, bulk ink can be stored inside the printer, but may dry up faster than ink cartridges. To find out if your printer has an ink reservoir, consult your user manual.

Finally keep in mind some disadvantages to purchasing ink or toner in bulk. Your supply of ink will mean you are committed to that printer for however long a period you have stocked the ink. Even if you are perfectly happy with your printer, there is always the chance it could break. In addition to the added expense of a replacement printer, you will have lost out on what you have spent on the ink supply for the broken printer. This can be a frustrating waste of money.

If you are considering purchasing ink or toner in bulk for you computer, you may find the decision saves you a great deal of time and money. Weigh the pros and cons of a bulk purchase, and you will make a smart choice that suits your needs.

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The Difference Between Ink and Toner

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

While some may refer to ink and toner as being one and the same, there are actually quite a few differences in how they are made and how they function. For starters, toners and inks can not be used interchangeably with printers. Inkjet printers use ink and laser printers use toner. Toner is a powder that is carbon based. It is made up of dye granules that have polymers that help it to adhere to paper.

Toners

Toner comes in a cartridge, just like liquid ink. It is typically more expensive then liquid ink, but it lasts a longer time and is capable of printing more pages per cartridge. Keep in mind that many of the rules of technology apply to toner cartridges. The higher the quality, and more expensive, the cartridge, the better it will operate. Higher quality, expensive cartridges are filled with very finely ground powder. The less expensive toner cartridges are going to have larger granules of powder and you may find that it smears or does not otherwise perform as well.

Most home users choose inkjet printers and find they work fine for their needs. However, those choosing a printer for business purposes may prefer laser printers and toner printing. Laser printers are more expensive and take up more space, but they offer better quality printing and they are often faster and more efficient.

Those using a laser printer will find they need to change the toner cartridge just as someone using an inkjet printer will need to change the ink cartridge. Due to the tendency of toner to spill from the cartridge, it may be wise to use rubber gloves and an apron when changing the toner cartridge. Should toner get on your skin, washing it immediately with soap and water. You should also avoid breathing toner and may want to wear a paper mask when changing toner cartridges to avoid inhaling microscopic particles.The FDA has classified toner powder as a class A carcinogen. There is some debate over how much harm it can cause skin, but those working around toner are advised to be safe instead of sorry. Printer companies insist their products have been tested and present no real danger to users. Others believe toner powder is the single most dangerous aspect of computer technology.

Toner Powder

Should you spill toner on clothing or carpet, vacuum the powder immediately. After vacuuming, you can blot the area with cold water. If putting your stained clothing in the washing machine, wash on cold and air dry. Heat will fuse the color into the fabric and you will find you have a permanent stain. In either case, on clothing or on carpet, do not rub the toner. This will smear the powder into the fabric and make it more difficult, or impossible, to remove.

Understanding the difference between ink and toner can help you make the correct choice when purchasing a printer. If you work with a laser printer, being familiar with toner will also help you to be safe when in the work environment.

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How Ink Cartridges are Made

Monday, September 28th, 2009

Ever wondered how ink cartridges are manufactured?

Well have a look at this video of Jettec in action.

Jettec are a renowned UK Ink remanufacturing company. They offer a broad range of compatible and remanufactured inkjet cartridges covering Epson, Brother, Canon, Dell, HP, Lexmark and Samsung printers. Additionally, their award winning Extra life technology, allows the consumer to obtain up to 100% more prints than the original.

Quote From Phil Sneath, Senior Account Manager at DCI:

‘We have managed to sustain an phenomenal rate of growth and demand for our products has not wavered despite challenging trading conditions. This is partly down to the high quality of our products, which drives repeat sales and helps us to retain and grow our client base. But it is also because, as a business, we are constantly evolving and finding new ways to promote our green agenda whilst keeping our costs competitive and overheads minimized by refusing to outsource. At times like this it is fundamental that business’ take inspiration from other successful UK based organizations. We feel that British manufacturers need to encourage retailers and suppliers to strongly promote British made goods and produce in order to protect the interests of British industry’.

Ink and Media are delighted to be authorized Jettec retailers, supplying their full product range.

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Tricks for Maximizing the Life of Your Printer Ink

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Printer ink can be costly. It may leave small business owners and home printer users wondering what they can do to reduce their cost of their printing needs. If you have already utilized remanufactured options, or you are unable to do so based on your specific printer, and you still have a desire to cut costs, consider a few of these options for lengthening the life of your printer ink cartridge.

The first thing you can do to stretch your printer ink budget is to change the settings on your computer before printing. For the majority of your printing needs, use draft mode. This means that images will print in black and white, or even gray, reducing the amount of ink you are using. You will use no color ink unless necessary, which is the most expensive of the two replacement cartridges. If you are able to print drafts in gray, that uses less black ink as well. Be sure you change your draft setting when the time comes. Those that forget will find they waste a page worth of black or gray ink by printing an unnecessary draft page.

Ink Cartridge

After installing a printer, or after correcting a problem, your printer and computer will prompt you to print a test page. Only do so if absolutely necessary. This is a trick used by ink manufacturers to use up extra ink. All it means is that you will be one page closer to paying for an expensive replacement.

Another tip is to shake your cartridge occasionally. The ink has a tendency to settle in the cartridge, and may not reach its destination. By shaking it, you are loosening the clogs that may exist within the cartridge. Obviously use care when doing this and be sure to replace the cartridge properly.

Ink Cartridge

Remember that higher print resolutions require extra ink. Just like printing in draft can lessen the amount of ink you are using, lowering your quality settings may help as well. If you can, print the majority of your documents in a lower resolution, saving the best quality printings for when it is absolutely necessary to have a perfect print.

When your computer indicates that your printer cartridge is low, there may still be as many as 100 pages of printing left in the cartridge. Some users recommend changing the cartridge as soon as possible after the notification occurs. They believe it may damage the cartridge if you use it until the very end. However, others believe that it is most economically sound to use all of the ink available. If you plan to replace the cartridge, it may not matter if it is damaged.

If you purchase cartridges before you need them, be sure to store them in an environment that is room temperature and out of light. Keep extra cartridges and cartridges that are in use dust free. Store the extra cartridges right side up so the ink will not drain or leak.

Inkjet cartridges

Cartridge replacement can be expensive, but a few simple tips will help extend the life of your printer ink. In the long run, you will still find yourself replacing ink cartridges, but over time, you may require just a bit less replacing.

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Purchasing Replacement Ink

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Purchasing replacement ink for your printer may be one of your costliest small business expenses. There are ways to cut the cost of printer ink replacements, and one of them is by purchasing your ink online. Instead of heading to an office supply store for one replacement cartridge, you can order in bulk, you can purchase unbranded cartridges, or you can shop around and compare prices.

Ink Cartridges

The first thing shoppers should understand is that purchasing an ink cartridges online, especially one that does not match the brand of your printer, is that it will not void your warranty. Often, printer companies design their literature in an ambiguous manner that leads consumers to believe this could be a problem. Once you are the owner of the printer, you are entitled to full warranty coverage regardless of your ink choice.

Most of the options online are compatible or remanufactured cartridge options. This always makes for a more affordable option than the original manufacturer cartridge replacement. Since there are so many choices for third party cartridges, it is wise to do some research ahead of time. There are a number of websites that will help you choose reputable ink companies, and consumer reviews are always valuable when making a purchase. Keep in mind that the quality of the ink is one of the most important factors in determining the quality of your ink replacement.

Ink Cartridges

Buying online means you will not be bothered by searching an entire store for the appropriate cartridge. Simply type in the model of your printer and a search will return a great deal of affordable options. Your cartridge will always be in stock because the internet is able to pull the resources of thousands of companies.

Shopping for replacement cartridges online is easy and convenient. You can shop in less time than when you visit a traditional store. There are never any long checkout lines and you are free to shop 24 hours a day, seven days per week from the comfort of your own home. It is also easy to compare prices when shopping online. Some sites even do the comparison shopping for you, often with full consumer reviews.

Another benefit to online shopping is there is no hard sales pitch. You are in control of your shopping experience and there is no salesperson influencing your decision. Sometimes, it is in the best interest of the salesperson to sell you a specific cartridge. If controlling your shopping experience, you can make a choice based on facts and reviews instead of a tainted sales opinion.

Ink Cartridges

Online shopping for printer cartridges offers guaranteed privacy. You credit card is being handled by a secure electronic machine instead of a total stranger. It is easy to purchase ink in bulk online, and delivery is quick and easy. In no time, you will have the ink supplies you need on your doorstep, for a fraction of the cost you would pay in a store. When shopping for replacement printer cartridges, consider shopping online.

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Green Printing: Save The Environment And Your Bank Account

Thursday, February 19th, 2009

Printing can be hazardous to the environment.  From the energy your printer uses to the paper and ink your message is printed on, the printing choices you make can have a strong effect on the world around you.  Luckily, printing green isn’t difficult or expensive.  Here are a few ways you can make sure you make environmentally friendly choices when printing—without breaking the bank.

Use recycled paper.  The papermaking industry uses a lot of resources—including trees, water, and energy.  It’s estimated that it takes approximately three tons of wood, over 2,000 pounds of solid waste, and almost 20,000 gallons of water to make a single ton of paper. In addition, the bleaching process used to get paper white can release damaging chemicals into waterways and the atmosphere.  Any way you look at it, the more paper you use the worse it will be for the environment.

But you can make a difference by using recycled paper. It typically doesn’t cost significantly more than virgin paper, and it both reduces the demand for and uses less resources than production of new paper.

Print less.  This is probably the easiest and most obvious way to go green—and the best for your budget. Avoid printing as much as possible.  Keep your documents backed up on USB drives and discs instead of printing out paper copies.  Send emails instead of mailing letters.  When you do print, make sure you print on both sides of a sheet of paper so you can reduce the amount of paper you use overall.

Look into soy-based inks.  Paper in landfills may not be ideal, but at least it’s biodegradable, right?  It might be—but the ink printed on it isn’t.  Most regular printer inks are petroleum-based.  Petroleum-based inks release VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) into the air—not just in landfills, but in your home.  These contribute to both global warming and indoor air pollution.  In addition, some colours—often reds and metallics—contain heavy metals such as zinc, copper, and barium.  In landfills, these pollutants leach into the environment and cause damage.

Soy-based inks use natural pigments and mediums, and are generally much less harmful to the environment.  Not all of them are completely free from pollutants, however; look for inks that contain less than 2% petroleum.

Investigate the company’s energy use and green policies.  Whenever possible, investigate the green policies of companies you buy printers and ink from.  Do they take steps to reduce their carbon footprint? Do they have a recycling plan? Do they commit to using energy-efficient machinery and production methods? Many companies do lip service to the environmental movement, but don’t follow through on larger commitments. Most big printer manufacturers have a cartridge recycling program, for example—but some simply ship their used cartridges to third-world contractors who dispose of them in landfills.

Recycle.  Don’t throw any of your electronics, ink and toner cartridges, or paper into the garbage. Recycle them instead.  It’s relatively easy to recycle paper—most municipal recycling programs can take it—but it’s more difficult to recycle cartridges.  Your best bet is often to use a nonprofit program that specializes in handling ink and toner cartridges.  Some charge, but many don’t—and some will even arrange to pick up or pay for postage on your cartridges.  In addition, some third-party cartridge companies sell remanufactured cartridges—and will pay you for your used ink and toner cartridges.

Use a green printer.  If you use a printing company for high-volume work, be warned: printing companies can be highly toxic to the environment. Printers use solvents, drying agents, shellacs, and other chemical solutions to create film and printing plates as well as to clean printing presses.  These get released into the air and into waterways, and many have toxic effects on people who are exposed to them.  Look for a printer committed to green operations—one that avoids the use of packaging and foils that can make paper products impossible to recycle; relies on soy-based organic inks; and follows green energy use and printing practices.

Buy recycled cartridges.  Third party cartridge resellers recycle old original ink and toner cartridges and fill them with their own ink.  Buy from them instead of buying new cartridges from your manufacturer, and you could save significant amounts on cartridge costs—as well as reducing demand for new cartridges and keeping old ones out of landfills.

Green printing is good for the environment, as well as your budget.  Commit to recycling, look for energy-efficient printers, and use recycled materials whenever possible.  Buy recycled paper and cartridges, and support green printers and manufacturing companies—and you’ll be doing your part to make a difference.

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Seven Myths About Third-Party Printer Ink

Saturday, January 10th, 2009

Apprehensive about buying third-party ink, despite the savings you could see in your print consumables bill? You’re not alone. Original printer manufacturers work hard to encourage the perception that third-party ink is low-quality and can damage your printer irrepairably. However, the truth is not nearly so dire—and if you believe the original manufacturers, your bottom line could suffer.  Here are a few common myths about third-party compatible and remanufactured cartridges—and the truth behind them.

Third party ink will wreck your printer. Printer manufacturers are very fond of claiming that third-party ink can completely ruin your printer. However, in practice this is a fairly rare occurrence. A printer cartridge may not print successfully if it’s defective, or it may leak ink—but neither of these things permanently damages printers and ink can be cleaned with a damp sponge or cloth.  These defects are known to occur sometimes in original manufactured in addition to third-party remanufactured or compatible cartridges.

Third party ink will void your warranty. This is another myth perpetuated by the printer manufacturers. It’s actually illegal for any company to force users to use a specific accessory product as part of the warranty. Particularly if the damage wasn’t caused by the use of third party ink, companies have no right to void warranties based on that.

Third party cartridges are of lower quality than original cartridges. While there are some bad companies out there—as there are in any industry—many third-party compatible and remanufactured cartridge companies adhere to high standards. Compatible cartridges are usually engineered using the original manufacturer’s specifications. Many companies adhere to stringent ISO standards for cartridge manufacturing—standards that are also followed by original manufacturers.

Remanufactured cartridges are just old, refilled cartridges. Companies that sell remanufactured cartridges do more than just inject old cartridges with new ink. They also inspect each cartridge, make repairs when needed, and replace old and worn out components. Microchips are replaced, and all cartridges are run through a print test to ensure functionality before heading out the door. This is why remanufactured cartridges are much less likely to fail than the cartridges customers refill themselves using ink refill kits.

Remanufacturing companies reuse old ink and toner. This would be impossible—ink and toner is contaminated during the printing process by paper, dust and other contaminants.  Remanufacturers make their own ink using original manufacturers’ specifications. In most cases, the ink from a remanufactured cartridge is tailored to the specific brand and model of printer you’re using. Printer ink from these companies is not one-size-fits-all, and it’s never combined or recycled.

Third party ink has a lower page yield than original ink. Actually, some compatible and remanufactured cartridges have higher page yields than the originals. This information can be found in product specifications and documentations, and a good third-party company should make it available to you up front. Before buying, compare your third party cartridge yield with that of original manufacturers’ products.

All third party cartridges are the same. It’s true that all original manufacturers’ cartridges are the same, but third-party cartridges range in make and quality. Remanufacturers inject third-party ink into original cartridges; this ink is made by the third-party company and its quality varies depending on the company’s technical skills. Compatible cartridge companies build new cartridges from the ground up. Although they’re usually based on original specifications, they are made differently by different companies.  If you have a bad experience with one third-party cartridge company, it’s not necessarily a good idea to give up on third-party cartridges altogether—there are many third-party companies that make excellent products.

Original ink is expensive, and third-party ink and toner can save you significant money. Still, manufacturers make the bulk of their profits through sale of consumables, and they work hard to protect their market by encouraging consumers to believe that third-party ink is low-quality and dangerous to their printers.  But many third-party remanufacturers and compatible cartridge companies produce well-made products that deliver the same or similar print quality to what you’d expect from an original cartridge. Do some research and buy from an established company, and you’re sure to find a good source of dependable third-party cartridges that save you money without compromising on quality.

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Printer Ink Cartridge Refills: Should You Do it Yourself?

Friday, January 9th, 2009

Ink refill kits have vastly improved over the decades. While once a single refill kit was supposed to service multiple brands and printer models, today’s kits are often tailor-made to specific manufacturers and printers.  If you’re up for the challenge of refilling your own cartridges yourself, you could stand to save a lot of money.  But the refill process can be a bit technical—and refilled cartridges are typically more prone to error than using other third-party cartridge options.  So should you try refilling your cartridges yourself? Here’s a look at the pros and cons.

Do-It-Yourself Cartridge Refills: The Benefits

While printer ink refill kits are a more adventurous option than simply ordering third-party cartridges, they do have significant benefits. Here are a few reasons why some users swear by them.

Reduced cost. Refill kits are usually the cheapest option out there for third-party cartridges—often cheaper than both remanufactured and original third-party cartridges. You can save thousands each year in printing costs by using refill kits exclusively or by incorporating them into your cartridge buying habits.

Environmental impact.  Printer cartridges do damage to the environment when disposed of in landfills. Leftover ink can leak into soil and water, and chemicals from plastics used to make the cartridges can also contaminate the environment.  It can take up to a thousand years, theoretically, for a plastic cartridge to completely biodegrade.  Despite these truths, only 15% of cartridges in the U.K. are recycled.  Using a refill kit allows you to recycle your old printer cartridges instead of throwing them away.

Convenience.  If you have a refill kit, you won’t have to go to the store every time your cartridges run out—you can just refill them and put them back in the printer. The added convenience makes a difference to some users.

Drawbacks of Refill Kits

Of course, with greater savings comes greater risk.  Refill kits may not be for everyone, and here are a few reasons why you may not be as satisfied with a refill kit as you would with a remanufactured or original third-party cartridge.

Room for mistakes. Because you’re refilling your cartridge by hand, there’s room for some human error in the process. If you don’t insert the ink into the cartridge correctly, for example, you may have air bubbles in the syringe that can result in uneven ink distribution on the page.  You’ll have to read the directions and follow all the steps carefully to make sure your ink is properly injected.

In addition, if your cartridge is old and worn out, you may not be able to tell—this is a problem you don’t encounter with remanufacturing companies, because they replace worn-out components of used cartridges before selling them.  And if you insert ink into a cartridge that’s been empty for a long period of time, the sponge may be dry—and this could cause problems with printing later.

Cartridges are getting more complex.  As ink refill kits get more and more specialized, manufacturers are going to greater and greater lengths to prevent users from refilling the cartridges themselves. Today’s cartridges have computer chips and other high-tech features that can get in the way of injecting your own ink.

Possible warranty void.  It’s a myth that any use of third-party ink or cartridges will void your printer’s warranty out of hand.  But if the damage caused to your printer is obviously from a third-party ink, this may cause problems with your warranty. Read your fine print carefully before making the decision to go with an ink refill kit, as they typically have more room for error than other third-party ink options.

Ink refill kits can save you a lot of money. They also do something good for the environment by allowing users to recycle their own cartridges instead of throwing them away.  However, they do have their drawbacks—and not everyone is comfortable with doing it themselves. If you still want to save money without risking problems from human error in the ink refill process, you can still find cheap cartridges through companies that sell remanufactured or original third-party cartridges built from manufacturers’ specifications. With all the options out there, you’re sure to find a discount cartridge option that fits your needs

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Recycling Your Printer Ink Cartridges

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

When you throw your used ink cartridges away, their lives are only just beginning. Most U.K. cartridges get disposed of in landfills. There, the trace remnants of ink left over in the sponges inside cartridges, and in the cartridges themselves, can gradually leach into soil and water. The plastics from the cartridges contain harmful chemicals, and those can also make their way into the surrounding environment. These plastics can take more than a thousand years to break down completely in soil.

Only about 15% of the 65 million printer ink and toner cartridges used in the U.K. are recycled. Many people don’t realize how much damage they cause to the environment by throwing them away—and wouldn’t know how to recycle them if they wanted to. Here are five places you can recycle your cartridges instead of throwing them away.

Send them to the manufacturer. Most original manufacturers will accept your used cartridges for recycling. Manufacturers that will take used ink and toner cartridges include Epson [http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/Recycle/RecycleProgram.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes], Brother [http://www.brother-usa.com/Environment/TonerInkDisposal.aspx], Canon [http://www.canon.com/environment/return/index.html], Hewlett Packard [http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/globalcitizenship/environment/recycle/index.html?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN], and Lexmark [http://www.lexmark.com/lexmark/content/withoutnav/home/0,7316,204816596_1099884817_0_en,00.html]. These companies will often provide postage-paid mailing materials either enclosed within the packaging or available for order through the website. In most cases, their recycling efforts are global and you can get packaging to send cartridges back to them whether you live in the U.S., Europe, Britain, Australia, or anywhere in between.

Give them to a store. Some stores will take your old cartridges for recycling and, if the manufacturers cooperate, they may offer discounts on new cartridges in trade for old ones. Some office supply stores have recycling boxes out to collect used cartridges, but at most stores you’ll have to ask.

In addition, some larger stores will allow you to mail your cartridges into their recycling centers. Staples’ Inkdrop program [http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/spotCenter?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10051] is a good example; they give you prepaid envelopes and will deliver new cartridges to you in exchange for your old ones.

Check with your municipal recycling centre. Most public recycling centres don’t recycle ink cartridges, but some do—and if your local recycling centre isn’t vocal about what it recycles, you may not realize. Even if your town has a recycling program where your glass and plastics are picked up at home, your recycling centre may take other materials such as cartridges if you deliver them yourself. Check with your local centre—and if they don’t recycle ink and toner cartridges, they may know another recycling facility that does.

Recycle through a nonprofit. Some nonprofits concentrate only on recycling cartridges and other print and computer disposables; others have facilities that can recycle a wide variety of materials including cartridges. In the U.K., check out GreenSource [http://www.greensource.co.uk/], Cartridges4Charity [http://www.cartridges4charity.co.uk/], and Empty Cartridge Ltd., [http://www.emptycartridge.co.uk/index.asp]. Many recycling charities will pick up your cartridges for you. GreenSource charges a small yearly fee for membership, Cartridges4Charity donates the proceeds to charity, and Empty Cartridge Ltd. will actually pay you for donated cartridges.

Sell them to third-party companies. Third-party remanufacturers collect used cartridges, refill them and sell them at significant discounts. Some will allow you to send them your old ink and toner cartridges, and may pay you for the effort. Do some research and get in touch with a few well-known third-party manufacturers to see who’s willing to take your old cartridges—and who’s willing to pay for them.

Donate locally. Local nonprofit organizations will sometimes hold recycling drives. During these drives they ask for donations for recyclable materials—these can include cell phones, printers, computers, cartridges, and other materials. Typically they’ll send their materials to a nonprofit that pays for recyclables, and use the proceeds to further their causes. If you want to donate locally, look into your area’s schools, libraries, religious organizations, and other charities.

Recycling your ink and toner cartridges isn’t hard. You can easily find a way to mail them in without paying postage; some companies will even send new cartridges to you in return. Some organizations will come to your house to pick up your cartridges, and others will pay you for them or donate the proceeds to a worthy cause. With all the ways available to recycle your cartridges, it’s surprising that anyone throws them away.

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