subject: Saving the planet by using recycled printer cartridges – save money too! [print this page] Saving the planet by using recycled printer cartridges save money too!
The amount of waste that consumers generate from printer cartridges is quite staggering. In Australia alone according to a recent survey- it is estimated that over 18 million cartridges are used each year.
Australians have been excellent is their efforts to recycle well known recyclables such as paper and glass etc, however we are not anywhere near as diligent when recycling printer cartridges. Whereas Australians are extremely diligent in the recycling of regular household waste, and have been conditioned to use water wisely as a result of continued encouragement from the government and environmental organisations, historically we have been somewhat negligent in our attempts to recycle printer cartridges.
I would suggest that the lack of recycling of printer cartridges is most likely due to the lack of awareness of the impact of cartridges on the environment. The effects that printer cartridges have on the environment is not publicised anywhere near as much as water consumption and other initiatives, so I think the public is blissfully unaware of the effects on landfill that printer cartridges have.
A recent study shows that about 33% of consumers discard their used cartridges in the normal waste bin and about 14% misguidedly place them in the council recycling bin, thinking that that will recycle them The 14% are trying to be environmentally responsible, but that just haven't been educated on the correct process to recycle printer cartridges. Unbeknown to consumers that are trying to do the right thing by placing their used cartridges in their normal recycling bin, the effects of having the wrong type of items in that bin has a big impact on the recycling process.
However printer cartridges can be recycled!
The 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' program is an example of a good recycling program. The 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' collect cartridges from drop off points and then returns them to manufactures for recycling. The 'Cartridges 4 Planet Ark' program was created by Planet Ark in conjunction with participating manufacturers. With a number of drop off points available, the program is extremely simple for consumers to use.
Recommendation
I would encourage everyone (not just Australians) to think seriously about recycling your printer cartridges and at least try to help the environment and also save you some money. Recycled printer cartridges are not only good for the environment, but they also can save you money as they are cheaper, so everybody is a winner.
