With most businesses running a number of printers and many homes with printers for their personal computers, millions of ink cartridges are used every year in the UK. Ink cartridge recycling is a simple way to reduce the amount of waste this produces, helping the environment and your pocket! Ink cartridge recycling is already popular in the UK but it is still estimated that 47 million printer cartridges end up in landfill sites every year. Each of these could take over 450 years to decompose!
When you are buying a new printer it is worth choosing one which uses cartridges that can be refilled or that will take generic or refilled cartridges. This isn’t necessarily a more expensive option as many printers fall into this category, and the ink cartridge recycling will in any case save you money. Many brands of cartridges can be refilled and this can be done by a professional company or, in many cases, in-house once the appropriate equipment and training has been provided. Some companies will buy back your used cartridges as well as supplying you with replacement refilled ones.
Ink cartridge recycling can often be carried out via charitable organisations which can make money out of taking used cartridges and refilling them. Action Aid, www.actionaidrecycling.org.uk for example, offer a free collection service for your used cartridges.
Toner cartridges cannot be refilled but many can be remanufactured. The cartridges are dismantled and cleaned and any worn parts are replaced. They are then refilled and sold with a guarantee. For more information on this type of ink cartridge recycling visit the UK Cartridge Remanufacturers Association
For further information on Recycling click on the links below
