Disposing off empty printer ink and toner cartridge, after they are done with their servitude is the only option left when you are unaware it can be recycled and not thrown away as general waste. But take some time and give it a second thought - put the printer ink and toner cartridges into reuse. Printer cartridge recycling is a profitable and eco-friendly alternative when you know when should you start. It is quite possible that brief guidance on the steps will help you to brush the process better on recycling the printer cartridges.
Step 1 - Printer Cartridge Collection: Where Should The Empty Printer Ink and Toner Cartridges Be Carried for Recycling?
The very first step is carrying your empty printer ink and toner cartridge to the designated printer cartridge recycling point. Get in touch with the recyclers for innovative and environmentally friendly methods of recycling the used printer cartridges.
Step 2 - Sorting and Processing: What Do The Printer Cartridge Undergo During the Recycling Process?
After the collection process is done, the empty printer ink and toner cartridges become the responsibility of the specialist recycling facility for being sorted and processed. Next, the cartridges are broken down safely into different parts with the help of "Green Machineries". As this process goes on - clean and contaminated plastics, aluminium, steel, residual toner and ink are all separated from each other.
Step 3 - Re-Purposing: How Are the Recycled Printer Cartridge Parts Put To Use?
After being separated, the specialists re-purpose each element of the used cartridge in varied ways for producing new products.
a. Metal
Steel components are reused for manufacturing the appliances like fridges and washing machines, while aluminium is applicable for making cans to be used for food and drinks.
b. Plastics
Clean plastics are further converted to usable items like pens. Next, the remaining parts and the contaminated parts are crushed and processed into "e-wood", which is a synthetic timber material for making fences along with the furniture items.
c. Ink
Residual inks are outstanding for filling pens and creating recycled artist ink.
d. Toner
Mixed with asphalt, plastic, and recycled glass; residual toner produces high-quality road and paving surfaces.
All the items made from recycling the printer cartridges are the daily use items, and so it makes sense to send your printer cartridges for recycling. Following these simple steps and encouraging others to do the same will go a long way to reduce the 25 million printer cartridges that end up in landfills across Australia each year.
