http://blog.stinkyinkshop.co.uk/printer-cartridge-recycling-in-the-us-and-europe.html Ink, Inkjet cartridges, printing help and support Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:42:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 http://blog.stinkyinkshop.co.uk/printer-cartridge-recycling-in-the-us-and-europe.html#comment-141 Jason Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:33:25 +0000 http://blog.stinkyinkshop.co.uk/printer-cartridge-recycling-in-the-us-and-europe.html#comment-141 I would agree that this is an environmental burden that must be dealt with. I would disagree with some of the figures, however. We have found that we have no problems remanufacturing inkjets indefinitely provided the print head itself does not get damaged or run 'dry' for too long. Virgin inkjets are still preferred (only because they are easier to reman) but technology and a good dose of R&D are bringing percentages of 'remanned remans' to over 85%. As long as prints heads are not damaged and the remanufacturing processes are solid using good equipment and inks (not drill and fill) we have seen up to 5 recycles of a cartridge before noticeable deterioration of the print head nozzles and even then they work just fine for standard text printing (non-photo). We have in-house inkjets that have served us for almost a year of heavy printing! As in U.K., the U.S. Postal Service just increased their fees for most of the envelopes that are used with these sized cartridges. This does drive up S&H and recycling program costs, but not to the point of making it an unbearable expense. ALL remanufacturers have two goals whether large or small business...help save the environment...and make money at doing it. Commercial recyclers have been around for decades...this is simply more modern than aluminum cans...but the same principles are used. Thanks to all those collectors for salvaging these little gems and to those that join recycling programs! It is they who keep OEM from gobbling them up. OEM would rather breakdown and destroy their own product, claiming environmental friendliness, which actually makes a much bigger carbon footprint than allow remanufactures to continue to disprove OEM claims of inferiority or the omnipresent 'intended for single use only'. It is simply a matter of money to them. Remanufactures cut into their profits while offering a cheaper and sometimes better product. Thanks. Jason. I would agree that this is an environmental burden that must be dealt with. I would disagree with some of the figures, however. We have found that we have no problems remanufacturing inkjets indefinitely provided the print head itself does not get damaged or run ‘dry’ for too long. Virgin inkjets are still preferred (only because they are easier to reman) but technology and a good dose of R&D are bringing percentages of ‘remanned remans’ to over 85%. As long as prints heads are not damaged and the remanufacturing processes are solid using good equipment and inks (not drill and fill) we have seen up to 5 recycles of a cartridge before noticeable deterioration of the print head nozzles and even then they work just fine for standard text printing (non-photo). We have in-house inkjets that have served us for almost a year of heavy printing!
As in U.K., the U.S. Postal Service just increased their fees for most of the envelopes that are used with these sized cartridges. This does drive up S&H and recycling program costs, but not to the point of making it an unbearable expense. ALL remanufacturers have two goals whether large or small business…help save the environment…and make money at doing it. Commercial recyclers have been around for decades…this is simply more modern than aluminum cans…but the same principles are used.
Thanks to all those collectors for salvaging these little gems and to those that join recycling programs! It is they who keep OEM from gobbling them up. OEM would rather breakdown and destroy their own product, claiming environmental friendliness, which actually makes a much bigger carbon footprint than allow remanufactures to continue to disprove OEM claims of inferiority or the omnipresent ‘intended for single use only’. It is simply a matter of money to them. Remanufactures cut into their profits while offering a cheaper and sometimes better product.
Thanks. Jason.

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