Protecting The Environment – One Cartridge At A Time

28/03/2017

In 2017, are we really as savvy about recycling, reusing and reducing our impact on the environment as we’d like to think? We can be confident about how to deal with most household waste for example, but there are items that you probably use on a daily basis at home, at school or in the office that could be recycled multiple times and benefit both your pocket as well as the environment.

Toner Cartridges

One such example is laser toner cartridges. Approximately 60 million are sold in Europe alone each year, yet only a small percentage (around 25%) of those cartridges go onto to be recycled. The process of recycling is one that many people may still not be aware of, but one that is worthwhile knowing about.

Once an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) toner cartridge is sent to be recycled, there are a number of processes it goes through before it can be given a new lease of life. Firstly, the cartridge is tested to ensure that it is fully functional before any remnants of existing toner powder are removed and the cartridge is thoroughly cleaned. Secondly, any worn or damaged parts are identified and then replaced to ensure that the finished product is as close to the original as possible. Finally, the cartridge is refilled using a specially formulated toner powder and is subject to a number of quality and print performance tests before it can be packaged and sold.

Something else you may be interested to hear is that recycled toner cartridges – as well as being environmentally friendly – can be much cheaper than their original counterparts. This isn’t to say that there has to be a compromise in quality though; recycled toners can match, and often exceed the page yield of an OEM, and they fit and function exactly the same way in your printer.

Helping the Environment

It sounds straight forward doesn’t it? It seems like a process that it quite transparent, and not only does it prevent toner cartridges ending up in landfill, but because recycling companies such as Red Bus Cartridges only repair the elements of a cartridge that are damaged or worn, the creation of waste is reduced. Furthermore, they state that they produce everything in one place, under one roof. This means that they have complete control over the production process, but it goes a long way in helping to reduce their carbon footprint too.

So, now you know how OEM toner cartridges can be given a renewed purpose in (office stationery) life through recycling. You also know that you can save money in comparison to buying an original cartridge. So should you be inclined to want to save money as well as the planet, a recycled cartridge would be the way to go.