“Why should I buy remanufactured or compatible printer ink cartridges instead of the manufacturer brand cartridges?”

This is a question Pacific Ink operators answer just about every day. Part of our job as a provider of these types of cartridges is to educate inkjet printer, and laser printer, users about the benefits these products offer. So, we’ve compiled a list of reasons to share with you.

One of the main reasons to use remanufactured and compatible ink cartridges can be summed up in one word . . . REDUCE. When you use these products you are reducing the amount of waste that goes in to landfills. You are reducing the amount of manufacturing waste and pollution. And, you are reducing energy consumption.

Remanufactured ink cartridges are made from recycled ink cartridges. Logic follows that if we are recycling the old cartridges we are reducing what is thrown in the trash, and then what ends up in landfills. The recycling of printer cartridges is a far gentler on the environment that making new cartridges is. By making products from recycled products we end up with less air and water pollution. Finally, by recycling we reduce our energy consumption because recycling requires less energy than creating a brand new product.

The other simple word that helps explain why one should use compatible or remanufactured ink cartridges instead of brand new ink cartridges . . . IMPROVE. When you use recycled printer cartridges, you help to improve the recycling market and peoples attitudes about using recycled products. You help businesses and governments attain their recycled product procurement goals. You help improve the job market.

When our customers purchase remanufactured ink cartridges they are helping to create a demand for recycled materials collected through various cartridge recycling programs. They are setting an example for others that recycled cartridges are just as good as brand new cartridges, and far better for the environment.

Many state and government agencies have procurement guidelines that requires them to purchase a certain amount of recycled product each year. Printer cartridges are one of these products. Many businesses are now also instituting recycled product purchasing guidelines.

When printer users purchase remanufactured ink cartridges they are improving the job market. The jobs created through the collection and remanufacturing of ink cartridges are far greater, in number, than those created by throwing them in the trash. It does not take may people to throw old cartridges in an incinerators or landfills, but it does take quite a few to collect, sort, prep, remanufacture, test, and package them.

Finally, and this is usually the clincher, compatible and remanufactured ink cartridges are less expensive than brand new cartridges. Recycled printer ink cartridges are one of the few products in the world that cost less than their brand new counterparts. Most of the time we pay more for the recycled version of a product. Not the case here.

So, if you are reading this and have yet to try a compatible or remanufatured ink cartridge, give them a try. If you have been using them, good job, and go out and take a moment to let someone else know about their benefit.

(Thanks to the California Integrated Waste Management board and OSO for their inspiration)