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When an ink cartridge becomes completely used up, it still functions correctly albeit without ink. Hence, all you have to do is recycle it instead of throwing it away. To achieve this, hundreds of specialised companies exist to recycle computer items.ï¿½ Furthermore, most of the establishments that sell computer material, collect old toners and cartridges and send them on to the manufacturers, who reuse and refill these items.

Recycling not only means filling or refilling the cartridge or toner deposit, but also reusing the plastic cases and mechanical pieces, and replacing deteriorated elements with new ones. The new cartridge is then sold far more cheaply than its original price (sometimes 50% less) yet offers the same duration and quality.

Toxic residue
Recycling toner cartridges prevents the common activity of dumping these consumables into the bin. In the Catalogue of European Residue (C.E.R.), ink and toner residue is regarded as toxic and dangerous, as they are manufactured with non-biodegradable materials that never decompose into organic material.

Whenever when of these cartridges is dumped, it still contains around 10% of the original toner, a photosensitive cylinder, plastic, rubber, aluminium, tin and other non-biodegradable materials.

Are they compatible with all printers?
Over half the profits of printer manufacturers derive from the sale of consumables. It is no surprise, then, that said companies attempt to prevent the use of recycled ink cartridges by installing chips in the original cartridges.

In this sense, in December 2002 the British MEP Robert Goodwill pushed through an amendment to the European legislation which regulates electronic goods with the aim of liberalising the ink cartridge market and promoting further recycling.ï¿½ According to Goodwill, "when recycled cartridges are used, some printers flash up an error message, so many users are forced to buy the manufacturer's far dearer replacements."

At the time of passing the amendment, the EU parliament also took into account the damage caused to the environment by these consumables, and accused manufacturers of limiting recycling. However, this new law will not come into force until 2006.

Did you know...?
-According to the consultants CAP, HP dominates the western European printer market (which is worth 11,000 million dollars a year), with 44% of the share. Epson accounts for 25%, Canon 18% and Lexmark 10%. Independent cartridge suppliers account for a quarter of the market.