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Recycling Programs For Toner Cartridge
by Lucie Morty
http://www.orgtoner.com
A toner cartridge, along with other computer hardware, is
filling up our landfills and hurting our environment,
according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The toner, a simple carbon powder substance with very little
carbon, may bother you if you have asthma or bronchial
problems, but it isn't going to do much else to you or
greatly harm the environment. The bigger culprit in the
pair is the cartridge, the outer plastic shell, which is so
resistant to biodegrading and has a negative impact on our
environment as it clutters our landfills for upward of 20 to
30 years before it finally breaks down.
The need to recycle these empty cartridges makes great
sense; currently, eight to 10% of landfills in the U.S. are
littered with plastics and unwanted computer hardware. As
result, the EPA is strongly encouraging recycle programs to
reduce this excessive waste. Many toner cartridge
manufactures developed free recycle programs in response to
this plea. In fact, many of these manufacturers offer
fund-raising programs and will pay people to turn in their
used cartridges.
Toner cartridge manufacturers and several non-profit
organizations are taking this situation seriously. In fact,
many state laws strictly prohibit many of these
biodegradable-resistant products from entering their
landfills. The consumer is left with several viable
options:
- On designated days, these items can be taken to a county
recycle center.
- In special boxes and pouches already postmarked, empty
cartridges can be returned through the mail to the
manufacturer.
- To benefit organizations, fund-raisers are allowed to
collect these items and turn the cartridges in for a profit.
If the toner cartridge is in good condition, a few
manufacturers and non-profit organizations will pay you for
your returned cartridge or give you refunds toward future
purchases. Does it really pay to recycle cartridges?
Prices paid depend on the type of cartridge and the place
that you submit your used product; for the average size
toner cartridge, payments go as high as $4.00 each to five
cents each. These amounts add up quickly for a fundraiser,
especially for a Scout group or school. Recycle-Free
(www.recyclefree.com) is a re-manufacturer and offers an
incredibly simplistic recycle program for toner cartridges.
Through Recycle-Free, interested organization are supplied
for free recycle posters, literature, collection boxes and
tips on how to inform everyone about your fundraiser. If
you prefer not to directly receive the funds raised, you can
elect to donate that money to a charitable organization.
To return a used cartridge to a manufacturer, you can follow
the manufacturers recycle directions, which are usually
printed on the side of the cartridge box or located on the
manufacturer's website. Upon request, many manufacturers
offer a free self-addressed posted envelope that is safe for
mailing.
Many cartridges are used again and again as long as the
cartridge shell is in good condition. These cartridges tend
to maintain their integrity for a very long time which makes
these re-manufacturing companies work so well. To find out
more about EPA's recycling efforts for plastics, computer
electronic parts and toner cartridges go to
http://www.EPA.gov/.
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