Re-used cartridges give firms best option

Re-used ink and toner printer cartridges for computers are products of creditable re-manufacturing processes and high quality ink and toner, yielding high-quality printing, Megan Taylor of Recharger Magazine affirmed.

Since the test of the pudding is in the eating, the growing number of companies using re-manufactured cartridges is charting a clear trend. For the price of about 40 to 60 percent less than that of the originals, these companies are getting the same, if not better, quality of re-manufactured printer cartridges.

The re-manufactured cartridges also last longer because they contain about 20 percent more toner, Taylor explained.

Taylor added that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), in order to "protect their profit margins… often claim that non-OEM cartridges might damage (the) printer. No manufacturer (or re-manufacturer) can guarantee that a cartridge will never fail, but there is a little chance that a toner or ink cartridge could ever affect the functionality of a printer or fax machine."

"When the ink and toner cartridges were first produced, the OEMs claimed these were non-refillable. Obviously, the claim has been debunked, and more than three million companies worldwide are now using re-manufactured cartridges," said Norbert Grimm of Printing Images CtC Inc., a re-manufacturing company based in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Like all re-manufacturers worldwide, Grimm’s company buys used cartridges from collectors and turns them into high-quality ink and toner printer products employing environment-friendly procedures and inputs.

"Re-manufacturing technology is definitely paving the way for recycling as the best option not only for companies that use the re-manufactured cartridges, but also for companies that are into manufacturing and would do well to try out recycling technology and used materials for their products. Another compelling reason for re-manufacturing is the immediate need to arrest the horrifying prospects of dumping computer, printer and scanner rejects on precious landscape," Grimm explained.

In the local scene, the sharp increase in Grimm’s collections of used inkjet and laser toner cartridges from 50,000 pieces per month to over 100,000 pieces in only about eight months, projects a hopeful outlook as more citizens are becoming environmentally conscious and business-wise at the same time.

For inquiries, call Printing Images in Subic (047-2526012 or 0916-3053244), Manila (896-9639/9447 or 0917-8329073), Olongapo City (047-2244526), or Cebu (0916-4315946).