Curses! The printer ink is empty. That insipid empty ink cartridge is causing the power lights on your printer to blink. You look into your desk drawer trying to remember if you bought a replacement cartridge with your last paycheck. Printer ink can be so expensive! It’s time to make a change. No, not by reverting to writing in pen or pencil, but by looking at empty ink cartridges in a new way — a way that can help you make the earth a better place and even make you some extra money: Recycling.

PTO Moms have known for many years that by collecting used ink cartridges they can raise funds for schools, as well as keep the cartridges out of our landfills. These days there are many companies that buy back ink cartridges — in fact it’s a $350 billion industry. Emptytoner.com’s representatives say $80 to $100 checks are common for schools, clubs and fundraising organizations. This is because empty printer ink cartridges are valuable to recycling companies and can stretch your budget as well. Most companies pay on a scale commensurate with the re-sale value of the cartridges. Laser cartridges, for example, are typically worth more than ink jet. The more expensive, empty laser cartridges can fetch you nearly $5.50 a piece, while lower-end ink jet cartridges start as low as 50 cents. The price you get can also depend on brand. For example, Inkjet cartridges made by HP and Lexmark are more valuable as they are refilled and sold again at a lower price and they help the environment. Where as some just pay a flat fee. AAA Environmental pays a flat $1 for every cartridge selected for remanufacturing. Companies like PrintCountry.com even sends you recycling bags to return to them filled with empty ink cartridges.

Environmental advocates offer two great reasons for recycling ink cartridges. First, if not disposed of properly, printer ink cartridges can be devastating to the environment. They are made up of non-biodegradable materials that contain elements that pollute the earth. When they find their way to a landfill, they remain there for extremely long periods of time. The chemicals incorporated into their makeup are hazardous and can seep through the soil, ultimate getting mixed in with the ground water. Ground water can find its way to the ocean, or to our drinking water. The second legitimate reason to recycle cartridges is that the cartridge material is made from non-renewable sources that are better off being conserved. They are made from metal and plastic. We have no way of knowing how soon these finite sources will be exhausted.

So the next time your printer ink runs out, don’t worry. Be happy. Make some money and recycle!

Tags: empty ink cartridge, ink cartridge

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 1:01 pm and is filed under Usage Tips.