subject: Recycling Toners [print this page] There are a lot of people who are not aware of the importance of recycling their toner cartridges. Printer which are not recycled usually end up in dump sites in different places. Experts say that it takes 1000 years to decompose a single cartridge. A toner cartridge is made up of 40 percent metal, 40 percent plastic, 20 percent foam, paper, rubber and toner.
It requires about three quarts of oil to make one cartridge. This has a very bad effect on the environment. The petroleum used in manufacturing printer when disposed in dump sites will leak hazardous compounds into the soil where it is or close to it. If hundreds of this used printer are thrown in trash or garbage imagine how much amount of hazardous organic compounds is out there.
This is damaging to the environment. Because of this, a user should recycle properly every printer at home and at work. But what if the user does not know how to? Below are some methods in recycling a printer:
Refilling the toner cartridge is one way to recycle. There are special kits which has everything one needs when refilling a printer. Generally the ink used to refill the printer is not harmful or toxic so it will not leak pollutant into the soil on the ground when one decides to throw away the cartridge. The ink is usually soy.
Typically a printer can be refilled three to four times. The only problem here is the possibility of leakage if the user was not able to refill the cartridge properly. After being recycled and remanufacture for a couple of times it is normal that the life of the printer would come to an end. The plastic in the can be melted and utilized or made into several other objects.
If one decides not to refill the used toner cartridges themselves, they can just drop them off at an office supply store. These stores usually refurbished the used cartridges. But if they are in good condition they could just refill them with ink. This does not just save the environment but can be of big help to users who are on a budget. They are given the opportunity to purchase remanufactured over an expensive brand new one.
The latest recycling process is safer and cost effective. Take for example an empty toner cartridge can be taken apart and any worn parts are replaced. The cartridge is cleaned totally and high quality toner is placed in it. Afterwards this is assembled together and resold to buyers. There are still a lot of people who think that taking care of the environment is not part of their responsibility however they should think again. They should remember that we all live in one planet and it is everybody's duty and responsibility to take care of it.
