Recycling printer cartridges

With the proliferation of inkjet and laser printers, lots of people have and need cartridges. You may have already found that the cartridges can cost as much or more than the printer itself! Empty cartridges can be refilled and reused over and over. There are three things you can do with your empty cartridges: Have them remanufactured by a commercial company, refill them yourself, or donate them.

A remanufactured cartridge is a cartridge that has been disassembled and its worn parts replaced. The cartridge then receives a new print head, is refilled with ink, and is tested at the factory to guarantee print quality. Reman-ufacturing is considered more comprehensive than recharging or refilling. There are lots of companies that remanufacture cartridges. Here is a sample list.

Remanufactured cartridges cost half as much as new ones. Refilling is even cheaper but also more work on your part. A refill kit for the same Lexmark 12A1970 cartridge costs $11.95 from Carrot's Ink Cartridges and comes with enough ink to refill the cartridge four times. You can buy a refill kit from any of the above companies. An ink refill kit consists of ink bottles, syringes, a clamp or holder, and instructions. Refilling is simply the process of injecting ink from the bottles into your existing cartridge. If you are handy, this may be your best choice.

Corporate Express sells the cartridges and donates half the proceeds to Special Olympics (www.specialolympics.org). Inkjet and toner cartridges should never be thrown in the trash. Everyone should remember to always Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle!