As companies work hard to enact sustainable printing strategies, remanufactured ink cartridges are quickly gaining attention.
For decades, the sustainability movement has been a fixture of countless industries and companies of all sizes. If there’s one office process that seems to stand out in terms of its environmental impact and carbon footprint, it’s printing.
Combine the energy consumption of print hardware with the constant need for paper, and it’s easy to see how print fleets often get the spotlight put on them when discussing greener practices.
But ink is also a resource that impacts both printing and the environment – and the rise of remanufactured ink cartridges could print a fresh page in the sustainability story, and create a clear picture of a future that’s both green and efficient.
What Are Remanufactured Print Cartridges?
When professionals and facility managers think about all the ink cartridges they’ve gone through over the years, it can seem overwhelming. But what happens once they’re gone?
Conventional wisdom would say that they end up in a dump or landfill. But advancements in recycling have enabled these materials to find new life. Remanufactured ink cartridges emerge when old and empty cartridges are recovered and refashioned for use again.
The process goes like this:
- A discarded ink cartridge is recovered
- If it’s still usable, it’s then cleaned thoroughly and inspected
- Any worn or damaged parts are replaced
- It’s refilled and test
Once these steps are completed, that old ink cartridges is now back on the market and ready for reuse. What was once considered trash is now a valuable office supply – valuable for both printing processes and for sustainability goals.
Could These Cartridge Options Become the Norm?
Companies are often very particular when it comes to their equipment and supplies. Not only does a company’s choice of resources impact productivity, but it impact costs – and both of these together will influence the bottom line.
But the bottom line when it comes to printing is that it’s an expensive process. This is true in the sense that it demands a hefty financial cost, takes a lot of time to keep up, and leaves a large carbon footprint.
Remanufactured ink cartridges could define the future of sustainable printing, especially when used in conjunction with other helpful print solutions.
A Combination of Sustainable Supplies
Print supplies are in constant demand in the workplace. So if you use multiple sustainable supply options together, you could compound your results in terms of cost savings and waste reduction. Consider using sustainable ink in your cartridges, or even recycled paper. This can completely overhaul your print fleet’s environmental impact.
Adding on Managed Services
Managed print services make it easy to maximize the efficiency and performance of your print supplies. Not only can managed services help you monitor performance, but they can also provide transparency regarding usage. This way you always know when you need to reorder, and you’re never running short or overspending from overstocking.
What Are the Long-Term Benefits of Switching?
Even though embracing sustainable practices in your printers and their supplies could be useful, some companies are averse to making big changes like this.
Sometimes with steps of this kind, the benefits only manifest clearly over time. But investing in a long-term plan can really deliver results if a company is willing to stick with it. When remanufactured cartridges are in place for months or years, along with other sustainable print practices, it’s possible to enjoy perks like:
- Cost savings on hardware, supplies, and utility bills
- The chance to work with new vendors and partners
- An ability to attract more customers who prefer greener companies
Sure, it may be a new situation at first. But when a company overhauls their print supply selection like this, or even eases into the change slowly, they can see results.
For those who have multiple separate printers or entire print fleets in different departments, they can consider using remanufactured options in one and comparing performance along with savings for each.
Do Better with Print Sustainability – Contact Us!
It’s interesting to think that something as small as the ink source in a printer can have such a massive impact on a company overall.
But remanufactured cartridges are a massive step toward a sustainable printing setup and a better company overall. Their eco-friendly and affordable nature makes them ideal for companies of all sizes, and provides the perfect balance of reliable performance cost savings.
Ready to do better with your print setup? Doing Better Business offers top-quality print hardware and managed services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your print needs.