Five Most Common Ways That Toner Cartridges Can Be Refilled To Help The Environment

There is no doubt that refilling ink and toner cartridges is the right option when it comes to the environment. It not only helps to solve the supply needs of the modern office in a cost effective way, but ensures that fewer plastic cartridges are in circulation, thereby benefiting the environment.



The truth is that the lower cost of refilling printer ink cartridges, fax cartridges or laser toner cartridges is the real attraction for all office managers. And while it is possible to opt for other solutions, such as buying regular discount ink cartridges, for example, there are certain risks involved in choosing unknown names.



Refilling, therefore, is a logical method of contributing to a cleaner world. Here are five common ways in which refilling cartridges with toner can make a difference.



The DIY Option



The more environmentally conscious amongst us are often happy to do the job ourselves, rather than going to specific service providers. It is possible to buy toner in any cartridge refill shop, but there are a few steps that are vital to remember when choosing the DIY option.



Firstly, the hole through which the new toner is to be poured has to be opened carefully, though some cartridges have no refill hole, meaning a hole has to be made. Secondly, the particular toner needs to be of a high quality or the printing results will fall below the desired standards.



Lastly, the hole has to be resealed. A cartridge that featured a refill hole will have a plug with which to seal it again, but if a hole had to be made, then something will have to be found to plug it securely.



Turn To The Professionals



Most toner and printer ink cartridge retailers combine cartridge refilling services with their sales services. One can simply drop any empty cartridge into them, have them refilled and then carry them back to the office.



The chief advantage of this method is that the chances of a mistake being made is reduced dramatically, thereby virtually guaranteeing the refilling process will be a success with no damage inadvertently done to the cartridge to lower its efficiency, or even render it useless.



Return to the Manufacturer



Many of the leading manufacturers welcome the return of empty, used cartridges from the consumer. The reasons are fairly obvious, with the costs involved in simply repairing and cleaning the cartridge to get it fit again for resale much less than having new cartridges manufactured from scratch.



Getting used cartridges to the manufacturer is not so difficult either, as most retail outlets selling cartridges from the particular brand generally accept the cartridges, and will send them directly to the manufacturers. Of course, it helps in their own environmental push too, which does no harm to their public image and promotional efforts. The exercise also helps to lower the prices of branded cartridges.



Refill and Resale



This is where the empty cartridge is refilled at a refill store but is not returned to the customer. Instead, the cartridge is sold again as a recycled toner cartridge. The cartridge is inspected and tested before being put up for sale but, with a lower price, it is a popular option in efforts to keep office expenses as low as possible.



Although the cartridges are branded cartridges, the names are removed, a practice which may attract criticism in other industries but is welcomed even by the brands themselves in this sector.



While this is not just a refilling service, it does make a real contribution to the environment by creating a more affordable market and reducing the number of brand new toner cartridges coming into circulation.



Remanufacturing the Cartridge



In some cases, individual parts of a used cartridge can be damaged, such as the roller. This makes the cartridge ineffective, but some companies that provide refilling services will take parts from other empty cartridges to essentially remanufacture the cartridge, making it fully functional. Remodeled laser toner cartridges can then be refilled with toner and sold on.



It is true that opting for low cost discount ink cartridges can also save money, but this is ideal only if the particular cartridge is compatible with the make and model of photocopier the office has. This is an important factor to remember.



Kathryn Dawson writes articles about InknToner UK, focusing on the manufacture and supply of recycled, compatible and original consumable items for your printer, fax and photocopier. Working in partnership with Caring For Kids, InknToner UK offers one of the widest selections available today in the printer consumables marketplace including high-quality photo paper, discount ink cartridges and laser toner cartridges. Find out about toner cartridges and more today.