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!

When a printer reports that the ink cartridge needs to be replaced, it generally does not need replacing. Printer ink cartridges tend to retain a considerable amount of ink despite being “empty.” A considerable amount can best be described as anywhere from 40% to 60% of printer ink. Amounts vary depending on the printer model and what it is programmed to perceive as empty. The reason for this misconception is based upon how a printer determines the ink cartridge is empty.

Toner consumption is normally measured by a series of factors: how a printer is used, what it prints, how much information is printed per page, and the density each page is printed at. Sensors inside laser printers monitor toner cartridge levels and yield a basic idea of how much toner has been used. However, these sensors are unable to detect exactly how much toner has been used over a specific time frame. Therefore when a printer ink cartridge is still quite full, your printer delivers a message stating the printer ink is running low and should be replaced.

If you want to continue printing with the same printer ink, despite the fact that your printer ink cartridge is dried up and empty, there are some techniques that will help to extend the life of your printer ink.

The easiest and most common technique is to simply remove the ink cartridge, shake it, and re-install it. Another simple technique is to open the toner compartment and leave it open for a few seconds. The printer will believe a new cartridge was inserted during that time. A third method includes placing a small piece of tape over the printer ink sensor. This tricks the printer into believing a new ink cartridge has been installed and helps keep it running smoothly. There are also websites available with combinations and instructions for fooling printers into thinking ink cartridges have been replaced. Some of these techniques may work better on certain printers as opposed to others.

There is always the option of replacing the ink cartridge as recommended. Or continue printing with the existing cartridge until it indeed runs dry and begins to produce faint copies.

In most instances, the ink cartridge in your printer will last long past the time it runs out of ink. It just takes some basic knowledge and manipulation in order to keep it running smoothly despite being “empty.”