Choose 'draft' quality when printing and recycle your toner cartridges

(For the 1st of May)

Weddell seals, Antarctica
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

Printer cartridges contain pollutants such as aluminum, iron oxide and plastic but the cartridges are perfect for reuse and recycling. Whether damaged or empty, they can be dismantled and reassembled; defective parts may be recycled and refilled cartridges are of comparable quality to new ones. Toner powder, which is highly toxic, contains chemical pigments made from cyanide. If this finds its way to the dump, it will contaminate soil and water. During the recycling process, this powder is instead incinerated at 1,482 degree Centigrade

The best way to reduce the pollution produced by ink cartridges is to use less ink. Make 'draft' quality as your default setting and only print when necessary. Recycle your used cartridges, or use one of the many companies that collect, refill and return them to you to use again.

- from the book '365 Ways to Save the Earth' by Philippe Bourseiller

Personal note: A friend of mine who runs her own business writes this simple reminder at the end of her mails as a signature: 'Please consider the environment-do you really need to print this email? Participate in giving back';

Also to share, here is an article about Ruksana Hussain of Ideas Are Us LLC, where she talks about how she tries to make her business green by simple, small efforts.

A lot of places offer to recycle products like cartridges, phones, remote controls, batteries, etc. Do check in at your local 'Best Buy' if in America or contact the manufacturer of the product for further advice.