Are you wondering what to do with those old, empty printer cartridges lying around the office/house? Today, it is very easy to get rid of these spent cartridges, and in the process benefit the environment.

Printer Cartridge Recycling In The Community

One method to recycle printer cartridges involves setting up a physical location where cartridges can be dropped off, and then a business comes by routinely to pick up the box and take it to a central location for further processing. An example of this is a drop off box at a school. Students and faculty deposit used cartridges, and there is usually some sort of monetary incentive for the returned cartridges. Plans like this are also employed in churches, local businesses, and other community centers.

Online Ink Cartridge Recycling

Another way to recycle used printer cartridges is through an online company. There are several of these online, but they are all similar in that they buy back the cartridges from their customers. Some examples of these companies are castleink.com, freerecycling.com, and recycle4charity.com, where one can receive up to $4 per used ink cartridge. Be aware that each business has its own terms. Some only accept a minimum of 20-30 ink cartridges, their check payment times can vary, etc. Another key point to factor in is the shipping costs involved. Virtually every recycling entity provides free shipping, but some offer free shipping supplies while others don’t.

Recycling Ink Cartridges In Person

Lastly, when recycling ink cartridges online or in person, there are several guidelines to keep in mind. Remember to carefully read the guidelines of any prospective cartridge recycler. Some companies only accept “virgin” cartridges, which is to say cartridges that were not previously refurbished. If the company does accept non-virgin cartridges, they usually accept them for a lesser reimbursement. Also remember to check the list of accepted cartridges.

When sending the cartridges back (for online businesses), keep in mind these few packaging tips. Always try to return the cartridge in its original packaging if possible, or follow stated directions. Focus on packing any large cartridges toward the bottom of the box, and try to group based on the manufacturer and/or type.

What exactly are the differences between these types of cartridges, and what explains the large differences in pricing between these different options?

OEM Cartridges

HP OEM Ink Cartridges

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer. OEM cartridges are the cartridges manufactured by the original manufacturer of the printer, and are designed to work with specific printer models.

For example, if you owned a HP printer, then any cartridges made by HP themselves for that printer would qualify as OEM.

These cartridges are far and away the most expensive option, as you pay a premium for the brand name.

Remanufactured Cartridges

Remanufactured cartridges are used OEM cartridges that have been used and returned through a cartridge recycling program. The cartridges are then professionally cleaned and refilled. After the cartridges undergo strict quality testing and inspection, they are then repackaged and ready for use.

Remanufacturing cartridges is a long-standing practice, regulated by the IITC.

Remanufactured cartridges are better for the environment, as they reduce waste by recycling old cartridges. Every year, thousands of tons of industrial metal and plastic are kept out of landfills by the remanufacturing process.

In terms of price, they are generally anywhere from 3 to 4 times cheaper than OEM cartridges.

Compatible Cartridges

Unlike remanufactured cartridges, compatible cartridges are constructed from brand-new components. Compatible cartridges comply with the same construction standards as their OEM counterparts. They are the generic version of printer cartridges, and are typically are the least expensive.

Compatible cartridges offer performance as good as OEM cartridges, but at a significantly lower price.
Purchased from a reliable source, compatible cartridges can provide the same quality and performance of OEM cartridges, at a fraction of the cost.

Not all printers have remanufactured or compatible cartridges available, although the majority do.
Want to see if remanufactured/compatible cartridges are available for your printer? Try an ink searching service like InkHunt.

Purchasing ink online can and will save you money if you are careful about who you buy from. Buy from the wrong supplier, one who cuts prices too much or who puts their profits ahead of their customers, and you’re in danger of losing the money you spend on the new cartridge or even worse, damaging your printer.

We have personal experience buying ink cartridges (both original brand-name products and discount remanufactured and compatible alternatives) as well as laser toner from most of the ink e-commerce sites out there today.

We want to share with you the online suppliers that have delivered consistently for us in the past, whose customer support teams have always been there for us, and who believe in supplying a quality product that conforms to strict standards. We’re grateful for those select few, and believe that more prospective online ink buyers should be made aware of their presence and solid business practices.