When you recycle your toner cartridge you have the opportunity to preserver the environment and lessen the impact on your finances. These days throwing your toner cartridge in the trash is a waste; it’s like throwing your money away!

The best alternative to throwing out your toner cartridges is to recharge them with new toner. Manufacturers can replace the drums and other important parts with new ones. Additionally, some retail shops accept trade-ins for spent toner cartridges when you purchase a new one from them. These cartridges are then refilled so they can be sold at discounted prices. Self-refill kits are also available.

There are various refill kits depending on the type of toner cartridge you own. These kits make recycling toner cartridges simple and cheap. Most refill kits come with instructions, and the toner is inside a plastic bottle. There are no special tools required other than soldering iron to refill the cartridge. Here are four basic steps on how to recycle your toner cartridge.

1. Take the toner cartridge off the printer.

2. Burn a small fill hole into the cartridge casing with the soldering iron. Avoid using a drill or other sharp implement to create the hole, since such can result in minute pieces of plastic falling into the toner chamber.

3. Pour the toner in through the fill hole. Per manufacturer's directions, add only a portion of the toner to the cartridge's toner rather than filling it completely. This is particularly important if the cartridge has been refilled more than one time.

4. Once you've filled the cartridge to an acceptable level, use tape to seal the hole you created with the soldering iron.

Be particularly careful when you handle the toner, since it can ruin carpet, clothing, furniture, etc., if mishandled. Further, many toners are hazardous; therefore, take necessary precautions by wearing gloves and keep it out of children’s reach.

Due to their non-biodegradable nature, most toner cartridges will end up in landfills; but if you recycle your toner cartridges or buy re-manufactured ones you simultaneously save landfull space while eliminating waste, thereby saving on disposal costs.

You can also avoid making a mess by purchasing re-manufactured toner cartridges. These are available from your local office suppliers and specialty stores. Additionally, some retailers, upon delivering your newly purchased re-manufactured cartridges, will pick up your old toner cartridges. Also, over the last few years toner cartridge re-manufacturers have improved their technology to the extent that the quality can meet the manufacturer’s OEM standards. Most re-manufactured cartridges have good quality with a low chance of leakage or malfunction.

About the Author: Megan Barlow assists others to learn and apply green and sustainable living practices. To learn more, please visit her blog on Green Design and Remodeling.

Source Article: How to Recycle Your Toner Cartridge