Just as turning off the lights in your home helps save electricity, finding effective ways to recycle can help save the environment and your pocketbook. Ink cartridges are no exception to this rule. Recycled ink cartridges are very easy to refill, and you can usually save on average 33% (but as much as 70%) from the retail value, but how do ink cartridges affect the environment? What can I do as an individual to help?

Discount remanufactured ink cartridges are an incredible way to both help the environment and save money. Large amounts of pollution are created each year due to the millions of pounds of ink cartridges that are just thrown away. Recycling ink cartridges allows the materials that were used in the manufacture of the ink cartridge to be used again and again, which will save oil used to create the plastic casing. Plus, the fact that these are remanufactured and recycled, you save money as opposed to paying for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Empty printer ink cartridges are made of non-biodegradable plastics and metals. These substances, if put in a landfill, will take over 450 years to break down! In addition, the chemicals used make up printer ink as well as the chemicals that make these inks resistant to fading, are also quite detrimental to the environment. Capable of seeping into the soil and finding their way into the ground water, these chemicals can eventually get mixed into other bodies of water.

Remanufactured laser toner cartridges also save energy. OEM ink cartridges take 3.5 quarts of oil each to manufacture. With one billion ink cartridges being thrown away each year, the result is 875 million gallons of crude oil disappearing straight into the landfill! If we learn to recycle our ink cartridges as well as other plastic products, our dependence on foreign oil could be cut drastically.

Being conscientious with the printer ink cartridges that you use is a great environmentally responsible, as well as financially responsible, choice. Recycle empty cartridges and buy remanufactured ink as much as possible, Mother Earth, and your checkbook, will thank you.

Are you ready to make the switch to remanufactured ink cartridges? Printerink.com has already done your homework for you. Printerink.com has information on the top six online ink cartridge companies right at your fingertips and can provide you will all of the necessary information and reviews to make your remanufactured ink cartridge purchase as quick and easy as possible.

On September 23-26, at the Brussels Expo in Belgium, the greatest label show on earth will host over 500 exhibitors in the global printing industry at Labelexpo Europe 2009. Suppliers, brand name owners, and printing industry professionals from around the world will be able to network and view an unprecedented collection of “printing and packaging miracles” and “technological marvels.”

The massive scale of this year’s Labelexpo show will be staggering with exhibitors and visitors from more than one hundred countries descending upon the beautiful city of Brussels, bringing spending commitments for cutting-edge printing technology that will be worth millions of euros.
Because Europe can boast having over one third of the world’s label consumption with the highest per capita usage, Labelexpo Europe has become the largest printing industry gathering in the world of labels. This year’s show will provide printing industry professionals a networking opportunity to have the ultimate experience in developing new business contacts, all working together as a worldwide community to push the label, product decoration and converting industry toward a prosperous future.
According to Bill Reichard with Gerhardt USA, during the 2008 Labelexpo Europe in Brussels, “The quantity and the quality of the contacts made over the course of the show were overwhelming. Most of us have never experienced a show like it.”

Labelexpo was initially hosted in London in 1980, and then the show moved to Brussels in 1985 where it has become the flagship show of Labelexpos worldwide by becoming the largest dedicated label event in the world. With a record attendance of over 50,000 buyers at the director or management level expected this year, exhibitors will be inundated with new clients and business partners.

Phil Hall with Troika Systems describes his business contact experiences at the Labelexpo Europe show in 2008 by saying, “This was one of the best attended exhibitions we have been to in many years. The quality of visitors was very high and the leads we generated far exceeded our expectations and are already resulting in sales.”

Exhibiting at Labelexpo events gives your company’s products, services and technology a giant boost in marketing exposure. Labelexpo invests an enormous amount of money in marketing to guarantee exhibitors will meet the most enthusiastic international assembly of printing industry consumers in the label industry.

To find out more about Labelexpo Europe 2009 at the Brussels Expo during September 23-26 visit the Labelexpo website at http://www.labelexpo-europe.com.

Working in an office can be a real test for the environmentally-conscious. With the constant flow of memos, presentations and other printed materials the average office uses about 1.5 pounds of paper every day, that’s approximately 50 sheets for every office worker. This number is on the rise, with the average paper use in offices rising 20% every year. Often overlooked, but just as big of an issue is the amount of ink used during the printing process. Fortunately there are several ways to save paper, save ink and save the environment.

* Check Your Work – One of the biggest wastes of paper and printer inks is printing documents that have errors. It is completely understandable to not want to provide your fellow employees and superiors with incorrect information but having to throw away 200 memos is a huge waste of paper, ink and company money. Check your work thoroughly before you print to save a lot of heartache and resources.

* Print Only What You Need – Before printing check the document and determine how much of the information is necessary to get your point across. Not only is this a great way to save ink and paper, it will also make your documents and presentations more enjoyable for the people they are intended for.

* Use Draft Settings – Not exactly a way to save paper, but if you have a lot of printing to do using the draft settings for your printer will help save a lot of ink. The draft settings on your printer allows you to print much lighter, yet still readable documents which can be used for less important documents. The draft settings are not advisable for highly important papers, such as resumes, however, and should be used wisely.

* Use Recycled Paper – Recycled paper has become big business in recent years. The manufacturing process has become very streamlined for recycled paper, which has helped make it extremely affordable. If your office is not using recycled materials already talk to the person in charge of ordering and explain the advantages of using recycled paper.

* Use Email & PowerPoint – One of the best ways to save paper and ink in your office is to use computers whenever possible. E-mails, instant messengers and PowerPoint presentations have made it easier than ever to transfer documents and provide information without wasting valuable resources. This is also a great solution outside the office for sending party invitations, thank you notes and other important information to friends and family.

People who frequently use their printers to produce documents and pictures for school assignments, career obligations, or entertainment purposes often end up with numerous empty inkjet cartridges. Some people assume that these old ink cartridges serve no purpose once they are drained, and as a result, the cartridges are thrown into the garbage. However, printer ink cartridges are not completely useless once their colors have run dry: by recycling or refilling used ink cartridges, printing enthusiasts can help the environment and save a substantial amount of money. Here are some guidelines for preserving old cartridges through the methods of recycling and refilling:

The practice of recycling inkjet cartridges not only prevents the unnecessary and potentially harmful accumulation of waste material in landfills, but also reduces the cost of manufacturing brand new cartridges for retail distribution. Because printer ink cartridges are made from plastic-based materials that are very resistant to the biodegrading process, the recycling and reselling of old cartridges is a prudent environmental and economic enterprise. Depending on the brand, an ink cartridge can generally be recycled and sold at a reduced price as many as half a dozen times without any changes in quality or performance.

When planning to recycle ink cartridges, first check the printer manual or instructions to see if the manufacturer has included information on how to package and ship the empty cartridges to a recycling center. Some online organizations, such as www.emptiesforcash.com and www.freerecycling.com, collect old inkjet cartridges in exchange for a few dollars in cash or the option to donate the money to a charity group. Some recycling organizations will arrange to pick up used printer ink cartridges, while others offer free packaging materials and postage to the sender. Recycling campaigns are becoming a popular choice for school or non-profit fundraisers, though it is important to inquire in advance about which brands of ink cartridge are accepted and which are not.

Another option for saving old cartridges is to manually refill them with ink from a kit. Most office supply stores sell inkjet kits, which typically consist of squeezable ink bottles and blunt-needled syringes. Consumers can refill and reuse their empty printer ink cartridges by removing the manufacturer label, locating the hole for inserting new ink, and using the syringe to squeeze the contents of the new bottle into the cartridge. It is essential to reseal the ink hole with the cartridge label once the refilling process is completed.

Currently, only a small percentage of inkjet cartridges are recycled or refilled, leaving the majority as waste build-up in landfills. A collective effort to reuse old printer ink cartridges is necessary for increasing fiscal and environmental benefits.

When trying to prevent printing problems, there are a few simple actions that can help minimize frustration and the amount of time spent clearing print jams and changing print cartridges.

Static Electricity and Heat

In the printing process, static electricity and heat build up as the printer runs. It’s one of the issues that, so far, still plague most printers. The longer the print run, the hotter it gets. The hotter the printer gets, the more likely the static electricity build-up will cause paper to stick together. There are several things that can help alleviate this problem:

1. Use the paper manufactured for the type of printer you are using. Multipurpose paper and copier paper is usually less expensive than premium paper, but they aren’t designed to perform as well in an inkjet or laser printer.

2. Keep your paper enclosed in a box or wrapped in paper. It also helps to keep the paper out of light to prevent ultraviolet damage to the paper. The drier paper is, the more likely it will increase the static electricity build-up, which, in turn, causes paper jams. Also remember to fan the paper before loading it into the printer. If paper has been sitting around in a paper tray or sheet feeder for a while, remove it and fan it again before starting the printing process.

Ink Cartridges

Understanding how the printer ink cartridges function can also help prevent printing problems. Most inkjet printers use various methods of spraying ink onto the paper. Laser and copier papers don’t absorb the ink sufficiently enough to prevent smearing.

Another thing to remember is if any ink cartridge goes for a long period without being used, the jets dry out and clog. Read the User’s Guide for your printer and follow the maintenance recommended by the manufacturer. For inkjet printers that are used occasionally, it’s a good idea to run a test print at least once a week to keep the jets moist.

Although it’s tempting to refill printer ink cartridges to save money on printing costs, not all printers can have the ink cartridges refilled. Be sure to check with a reputable refill supplier before sending or bringing in ink cartridges for refill. Some printers use a wax-based ink and some use a dye ink. These types of ink cartridges cannot be refilled at a refill station. If the ink cartridges are refillable, remember not to refill ink cartridges too many times. The membranes and jets aren’t designed to last through multiple refills.

Like any other type of equipment, printers can be virtually hassle-free when used according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Performing recommended maintenance and using well-cared for paper that has been fanned several times before being loaded can prevent some of the most common printing problems.

Printers have gone green as well. And from the industry’s top printing technology brands come the top eco-friendly models that are already out, or just about to be released in the market. Say hello to eco-printing!

The HP DeskJet D2545 is a great eco-friendly desktop printer, perfect for a small office or home. The actual printer is composed of 83% recycled plastic while its black printer ink cartridges are also made from 75% recycled plastic. The HP DeskJet D2545 has also been qualified as an Energy Star printer, which consumes 40% less power when in sleep or idle mode, as compared to previous DeskJet models. Whether printing in full color or black and white, the D2545 has a printable resolution of up to 1200 dpi. It also allows 4×6 to 11×17 in sheet sizes and is capable of printing 4×6 up to panorama photos. It’s budget-friendly as well as it retails for about $44.99.

The Epson Stylus Office TX510FN is still set to be unleashed in a few months, but has created quite a buzz already. 87% of the TX510FN can be recycled and Epson claims that this model will be the most eco-friendly printer out in the market. On standby mode, the TX510FN only consumes a mere 0.25W. The TX510FN is capable of printing 38 pages a minute with a dpi of 5760 x 1440. It comes with a 1200 x 2400 dpi scanner along with a 30-page feeder. Remarkably an all-in-one-printer, it also boasts of a built-in color fax, an Ethernet port, and an LED display. It retails for about $180.

The Canon PIXMA series offers a huge line of environmentally responsible printers. PIXMA printers are known for their automatic 2-sided printing that saves up to 50% of paper supply. The MP980 model in particular has white LED technology that allows the unit to be smaller with zero warm up time. This new packaging resulted in the MP980 being 22% smaller than its predecessor and has an approximate 18% shipping efficiency. The MP980 also has an approximate 91% overall energy savings over the MP760. PIXMA printers are Energy Star qualified meaning, when not in use, the printers automatically go into a low-power mode. Additional features include: negative scanning, duplex printing (comes with a gray ink cartridge for black and white printing), print resolution of 600×600 dpi black and 9600×2400 dpi color, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, plus a large 3.5 inch LCD display. Most Canon printers have rechargeable ink cartridges that are shipped to Canon for recycling. An eco-friendly Canon printer will contain a single cartridge where individual tanks contain the different colored inks, thus creating huge savings when printing. The MP980 retails for about $280.

Go Green by reusing what businesses use: ink cartridges and printer ink cartridges. Instead of throwing out these everyday objects of use, find creative ways to utilize them, as in creating a lamp! Make it one less ink cartridge in a landfill, and one more unique way to light a desk in a home or office with soft light. Promote art that makes a difference.

Newly created ink cartridge lamps sell from between $35 and $200, and demonstrate how waste can be transformed into a one-of-a-kind craft. Don’t shut out an opportunity to be eco-friendly and artistically innovative. These are great gifts for graphic designers, artists, or anyone with a passion for creativity and the environment. They are a quiet, artistic addition to home or room decor, and provide a personal tag that promotes creativity and a healthy atmosphere.

These translucent plastic lamps are pocket-sized and work wonderfully as hanging or desk lamps. Each lamp uses a 6 watt bulb, which has a light output that is equivalent to 4-5 watts. Replacement bulbs can be located at hardware stores.

Though the ink cartridge lamp goes anywhere free of heat, do note that it is still a lamp with a heated bulb. To ensure safety, there are high-impact polystyrene [with foil] heat-shield strips around the bulb and a warning label (pictured) on each lamp to caution against covering the lamp or setting it on a carpet. It should also be noted that these lamps went through extensive testing for the assurance of safety.

Each lamp is made with love by first carefully cracking open the cartridge (220ml ink cartridges for 78 & 9800 series printers) that would have been thrown out. The ink cartridge is drilled, wired up, and turned into a glowing box of light!

Choose a unique color for your personal space. These lamps can be purchased in the following colors: matte black, cyan, light-cyan, magenta, light-magenta, yellow, light-black, and light-light-black. The colors enhance these small boxes of energy and offer a unique aesthetic appeal.

Also consider the ink cartridge chandelier or hanging lamp. These are especially unique and difficult to construct. Made with eight K3 cartridges that are used in big printers, they are carefully arranged in the order they were in while in the printer.

Switch on to this new way to light up a room! And feel good about doing your part to help the planet.

Do you have the type of business where crisp, clean, good-looking copy is required at all times? Is it imperative that your printed documents last over time because they are important business records? Do you want the ink to dry quickly and be able to handle your documents or photos sooner?

Do you print out photos that you don’t want to have fade or discolor over time from heat, sunlight, inside bright lights, humidity, etc? Do you want the ink to be durable enough to resist such incidents as smudging, water spillage, rain, and more?

Photographs are very precious, and the thought of losing them and not being able to pass them down to the next generation for the children to know their older family members is unthinkable. If you agree to the above scenarios, you seriously need to consider using original ink cartridges rather than refilled or remanufactured solutions. If you use an ink refill kit and try to do it yourself, you will find that the ink is not the same good quality as the original ink, that it runs out quicker, or that the printer heads on some cartridges cannot be re-used.

Original printer ink cartridges are often expensive, and every business person likes to save money and not add to the expense of office supplies; but an ink cartridge that does not do its job is not worth it in the long run. Also, if you have to run copies over again because the first attempts did not come out right, you have wasted money doing that.

You have to consider the quality that an original ink cartridge produces from the very beginning and how long you need that item to last for the good of your business. While it is likely that a refilled or remanufactured ink cartridge can be fine for personal letters, for business purposes it is taking a risk that is not worth it in later months or years. In some printers refilling is not even possible. Durabrite inks used in some cartridges contain a critical cleaning agent that keeps the printer’s feeder tubes and nozzles clean, so refilled cartridges will not work properly. A countdown circuit in the cartridge can cause it not to print after a particular number of pages. Some manufacturers embed circuitry so only their ink cartridges can be used.

A good original ink cartridge can produce documents that maintain their black text for possibly decades without the readability fading out.