Why Using Remanufactured Ink Cartridges Is A Bad Idea - and What You Can Do Instead

When considering ways to make your company more environmentally sustainable, it might be tempting to consider using remanufactured ink cartridges for your inkjet printers. Not only are they made from refurbished and refilled second-hand cartridges previously destined for the garbage dump, but they are also cheaper to buy than brand-new cartridges from your printer's OEM (original equipment manufacturer). Sounds good, right? Not so fast... 

Unfortunately, in reality, these refurbished cartridges can cause more problems than they solve, which can ultimately cost your company and the environment a lot more than you bargained for. To help you avoid these problems, let's explore why using remanufactured ink cartridges is a bad idea - and what you can do instead to help the Earth and your company's bottom line. 

Many folks are drawn to remanufactured ink cartridges due to a few perceived advantages: 

Reduced Environmental Impact: By cleaning, repairing, and refilling used inkjet cartridges, the demand for new plastic and metal components is reduced, offering a seemingly greener option.

Cost Savings: Remanufactured cartridges are often significantly less expensive than new OEM cartridges. This can be alluring for those looking to reduce their printing and operating costs. 

However, there’s more to the story. While the initial savings and environmental benefits are certainly enticing, the hidden costs and potential damage to your printers can quickly offset these benefits. 

Using remanufactured ink cartridges can lead to a host of costly issues that can affect both the quality of your prints and the lifespan of your printer. Here are some potential downsides to keep in mind when considering refurbished printer cartridges: 

Questionable Quality: Remanufactured cartridges are often produced in conditions that are not as sterile or controlled as those of the original equipment manufacturers. Looser oversight can lead to inconsistent ink quality and poor print results. For example, color prints might come out with uneven shades, and text prints might not be as sharp or clear as desired. 

Print Defects: Speaking of questionable quality, unsightly print defects can be a common side effect of remanufactured ink cartridges. Nobody wants unexpected black streaks, smudges, and ink blotches on their important professional documents. This is particularly problematic for companies that rely on high-quality prints for client presentations and marketing materials. Save the ink blots for the psychiatrists, unless you want a print cartridge that drives you mad. 

Shorter Lifespan: The lifespan of remanufactured cartridges is typically shorter compared to OEM cartridges. This means more frequent replacements and potentially higher costs over the long term. What good is a lower cost cartridge, if you need to replace them so much that the savings are negated? That's the high price of going cheap. 

Potential Printer Damage: One of the major risks that comes with using remanufactured ink cartridges is the potential for them to damage your printer. Leftover particles remain inside the refurbished cartridge can end up clogging the printer’s nozzles or damaging the print head component that maneuvers the ink cartridges to create all the images, text, or graphics you seek. No print head, no printing, simple as that. And what's worse, damaging these parts will inevitably lead to costly repairs or replacements.  

Whether you lease or own your printer, it's important to keep your machine in tip-top condition. Think of it like putting the cheapest gasoline into a Bugatti; the short-term savings could lead to significant long-term costs. 

Of course, the possible problems that can come with remanufactured ink cartridges shouldn't put an end to your goal of making your office's print operation more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient. Luckily, there are options that can help you do both. Follow us to the next section where such dreams can come true... :) 

There are exceptions to every rule – and the world of printer toner cartridges and ink cartridges is no different. Most remanufactured cartridges come from overseas – from countries with lower quality standards than those in the United States. That, combined with less regulation and oversight, leads to the problems described in this article. 

There are a few reputable providers of remanufactured toner and remanufactured ink cartridges – the best way to know which source is reliable is to ask a knowledgeable managed print services provider.  

Instead of using remanufactured ink cartridges, consider these environmentally (and financially)-friendly alternatives: 

Replace Older Printers: By upgrading to newer, more efficient machines, you can have the sustainability you seek automatically built right in. Newer printers often feature better energy consumption and improved print technologies that reduce waste all around. Think of it as replacing an old gas-guzzling jalopy with a brand-new fuel-efficient Prius. 

Restructure Your Print Fleet:  

Sometimes adjusting your printing infrastructure doesn't even require new machines. When you factor in remote employees and reduced printing volumes, you might just need to consolidate your existing printers and implement print management software to optimize your office's efficiency.  

Fewer printers equal lower electricity usage for your company and more money to put to good use elsewhere.  

Digitize Documents:  

Implementing a document management system like DocuWare can reduce your business' need for physical printing. This not only saves ink but also enhances workflow efficiency by making documents easily accessible and shareable within your organization.  

By saving the printing for only when you need it, you can save the planet - or at least spare a couple hundred trees worth of paper, which is pretty much the same thing. 

Recycle Your Used Cartridges:   

When your OEM cartridges are finally used up, make sure you properly recycle them following established guidelines. Remember: ink cartridges should never just be thrown away in the garbage.  

Even if the cartridge seems empty, it's made of slowly degrading plastics and may still contain traces of ink which could leak into soil and potentially harm the plants and wildlife. Now that's not very Earth-friendly. For more info on recycling rules and regulations, check out CalRecycle’s FAQs and Sharing Knowledge's recycling tips. 

Use OEM Cartridges:  

While they can be more expensive upfront, OEM cartridges are designed specifically for your printer to ensure the best performance and longevity. They were literally made for each other -- perfect printing partners for life! Also, OEM cartridges often come with warranties and support from the manufacturer, providing additional peace of mind and reliability.  

Want to improve the environmental impact of toner and ink cartridges? Go with high-yield ink cartridges (sometimes labeled HY, X, XL, XXL, XP) for an even greater page count across their lifespan. Even Washington State officially recognizes that a new high-yield cartridge is on par with a refurbished cartridge's desired environmental impact.  

As you can see, there are lots of other options to increase your printer fleet's sustainability that don't involve remanufactured ink cartridges. If it all feels a bit daunting to take on, you can always partner up with a professional managed print services company like FlexTG. 

If savings are your key motivation, the smart approach is to stop buying printer ink or toner by the cartridge. As the nation’s largest privately owned managed print services provider, we work with manufacturers directly to secure large-volume contracts, allowing us to provide you with highly competitive pricing for factory-fresh renewables.  

Rather than being penny-wise and dollar-foolish with remanufactured ink cartridges, let FlexTG help you create a strategic printer plan that will save you money while keeping your print quality high and your devices safe. With a managed print services contract, our experts will conduct a comprehensive printer fleet evaluation and establish a regular maintenance schedule with timely OEM ink cartridge deliveries.  

Our job is to help you do your job with as few printer interruptions as possible. And if your company can sustain its productivity while being even more environmentally sustainable... well, that's a win-win for everyone. 

Reach out to us to get an assessment of your print operation.