The Environmental Protection Agency is one of the environmental organizations which recently spoke out against the environmental impact of printing. According to the group, one toner cartridge requires a gallon of oil to create.
A study recently produced by the environmental groups found that every second, eight empty toner cartridges are discarded by consumers in America, illustrating the alarming rate at which we are wasting the earth’s resources.
In North America alone, the study found that 350 million cartridges hit the landfills on an annual basis, with numbers increasing on average by 12 per cent every year.
Once in the landfill, the cartridges are expected to remain there for another 450 million years – the length of time it will take them to decompose.
Unfortunately, recycling the cartridges is not always easy or environmentally friendly either. Katy Kao, co-owner of Cartridge World Westgate in San Jose, said that many people mail their empties back to the manufacturer which costs money in postage and gas for the transportation. Recycling the cartridges takes a lot of energy before they can be crushed and made into something new.
Cartridge World is an international ink and toner refilling company which is based in Emeryville. Our mission is to offer an affordable choice when it comes to cartridge needs, as well as minimize the negative environmental impact of throwaway printer cartridges,” CEO Burt Yarkin says. “We believe that manufacturers and retailers should not limit the choices and alternatives of their customers, especially when those alternatives are more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.”
Local stores accept walk-in exchanges and offer to pick up empties from high-volume users. In addition, the company delivers refills which cost about half of a new cartridge.
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