| ign="center"> | | | | Refilling may seem like a great answer, however, |
| People are always looking for ways to save | | | | most IT professionals do not like the idea of |
| money, reduce waste, and try to behave in | | | | these do-it-yourself' kits. The kits can be messy |
| ecologically sound ways. "Reduce, reuse, recycle" | | | | and cause numerous mechanical and print quality |
| has become the mantra of consumers who want | | | | problems if the toner gets into the printer. IT |
| to save money and try to save the planet. | | | | professionals weigh the risk of extra cleaning and |
| Businesses have started to market their "green" | | | | damaged equipment to the cost savings of the |
| practices to the consumer market. Not all | | | | refill kit itself. Home users may not realize how |
| practices are as environmentally sound as others, | | | | much of a mess toner can create and the |
| however, and some are simply not very practical. | | | | damage it can cause. |
| Whichever method is used, however, the | | | | Advocates for refurbished printer cartridges note |
| replacement or refurbished items can be | | | | that the extra cost of refurbished units helps to |
| purchased online to save both time and money. | | | | ensure the quality of the cartridge. They explain |
| Laser and ink printer cartridges were once | | | | that there is far more to the printer cartridge |
| considered a waste product of home printing. | | | | than the toner reservoir component. There are |
| Businesses and private individuals are trying to find | | | | cleaning blades on printer cartridges and waste |
| ways of not adding to the waste, and the debate | | | | toner compartments. If these are not replaced |
| between refilling or buying refurbished toner has | | | | and emptied, then they will degrade the quality of |
| escalated. There are pros and cons to both | | | | the prints or even ruin the printer. Parts that are |
| methods, as well as firm believers on both sides | | | | designed to wear out can be replaced on |
| of the debate. While this will never trump global | | | | refurbished units, making them more reliable than |
| climate change as a major environmental issue, | | | | refills. |
| both sides are well entrenched in their beliefs. | | | | Neither party will come to agreement on which is |
| Advocates for toner refills will argue that the | | | | best, however, customers should be aware of |
| price of buying refurbished cartridges is higher | | | | the pros and cons of both methods. Refilling is |
| than buying a toner refill kit. The refill kits allow for | | | | cheaper, but it does have risks that many people |
| an end user to continue to use the same printer | | | | are not willing to accept. Refurbished units are |
| cartridges and not pay for the packaging, | | | | more costly but are time saving and will cost less |
| marketing, and labor of refurbished cartridges. Kits | | | | in the long run. Only the individual knows what |
| are sold that are supposed to make the process | | | | risks they are willing to take and can choose |
| easy, cost effective, and reduce waste. | | | | which method is best for them. |