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All leading makes of ink and toner cartridges, plus the money-saving Tonik brand. Save up to 70%! |
There's been a lot written about the negative impact inkjet cartridges have on our environment in the UK. While our landfills are bursting with waste, many feel that the throwaway mentality of inkjet cartridge manufacturers and sellers has encouraged waste and pollution. Well, one industry giant is listening. Here's some information from Tonik on how one company is making a difference.
An Innovative Solution
In 2008, the Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) announced that it will be using post-consumer recycled plastic to produce inkjet ink cartridges. The company committed to using 10 million pounds of recycled plastic and plans to increase that amount in subsequent years. HP created a recycling process that allows plastics from multiple sources to be combined in the production of HP printer ink cartridges. The company believes that using recycled materials keeps plastic out of landfills and saves energy. This commitment to sound environmental practices underscores HP's dedication to "reduce the environmental impact HP products have on the planet," according to a company vice president.
HP's Responsible and Forward-Looking Process
When HP's engineers set out to find a way to benefit the environment by using recycled materials in its ink cartridges, they were also committed to maintaining the company's high quality standards. Here's how the recycling process for printer inkjet cartridges works: HP uses a phased recycling methodology that breaks down the cartridges into their most basic components: plastics and metals. Then the plastic is combined with a suite of ingredients and resins to be sure it meets tough performance and quality standards. The result is a product with an amazing 70 to 100 percent recycled content that has a performance curve that matches "virgin" plastic.
An Important Distinction
It's important to understand the distinction between HP's ink cartridges and others that are labelled as "remanufactured." Remanufactured printer cartridges generally use the original components and simply refill the cartridge with ink. HP's process results in entirely new cartridges. The company has taken the long view; it considers every aspect of the product life cycle as demonstrated by this closed-loop process for making inkjet ink cartridges. In fact, HP has been honoured by prestigious trade organizations, including the Society of Plastics Engineers, whose vice president described HP's program as an "unprecedented engineering innovation" and a "remarkable achievement."
HP's Environmental Commitment
HP has a program called "Design for Environment" that seeks to minimise the impact on the environment of HP products and packaging by using efficient packaging and recyclable materials. Through another program called "Planet Partners," the company provides worldwide facilities for cartridge returns in over 45 countries. Under this program, returned cartridges are not sent to landfills, refilled or resold.
Inkjet cartridges can be successfully recycled, as HP has proven. It's hoped that companies in the UK and elsewhere will use HP as a model to devise their own successful and cost-effective programs. For more information on cartridges from HP and other top manufacturers, consult the experts at Tonik.
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