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Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of printers all have programmes to recover or recycle their empty cartridges, HP and Canon now reuse them as well. However, the reality as to where most of these cartridges end up is not so environmentally friendly. Many cartridges are dumped in places such as rural China, even though the export of hazardous waste from developed to undeveloped countries is prohibited.
Polluting the Environment
In places like China, migrant workers are often seen searching around the
sites where Empty Printer Cartridges are dumped, using their fingers to recover the toner powder from Empty Toner Cartridges which is sold to make low
grade dyes.
Many residents develop respiratory problems and water has to be brought in from up to 10 kilometres away, as the wells and rivers are so contaminated.
The internal and external parts of the Empty Printer Cartridges that are not considered to be worth any value are burned along streets, roads and rivers.
How We Can Help
The Lasertech Recycling Programme is helping to reduce the impact of waste
in places like China. Colin Davison of Hip Kiu Manufacturing Ltd, Hong Kong, made an investigation into the dumped cartridges, and did not find one 'aftermarket' cartridge, all were OEMs.
By recycling Empty Printer Cartridges with Lasertech you can help to cut the amount of waste entering the environment.
An investigation by an international coalition of environmental organisation reveals huge quantities of Empty Printer Cartridges being exported and dumped in Guiyu, China. Men, Women and Children search through the dump sites unaware of the health and environmental hazards.
Picture courtesy of Basel Action Network ©
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