Print the World Green!

What really happens to those used toner cartridges?

Despite electronic documents becoming the norm these days, there remains a need to print many documents at SOLO Labs. This leaves behind empty print cartridges that no longer have a purpose. Or do they? Thanks to the HP Planet Partners Return and Recycling Program, SOLOs  exhausted print cartridges now take on new life as anything from clothes hangers to serving trays. To date, SOLO Labs has recycled 1,422 print cartridges, which is 91% of cartridges purchased since the initiative began.

In 1991, HP kicked off this program that allows both individuals and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.  Business or vendors can either either drop off empty cartridges at participating retail locations or ship the entire boxes directly to the recycling facility, at no charge to the sender. SOLO Labs, on average, sends one shipping box full of print cartridges monthly. HP also recycles computer hardware and rechargeable batteries as part of the program. Any brand of cartridges or computer hardware is accepted.

Once the print cartridges reach the recycling facility, they are shredded and sorted into plastics and metals. Any remaining ink, foam, or toner is handled using eco-friendly methods of disposal and recycling. The plastics and metals are then reverted to their original composition, which are later used to make new computer and printer components as well as everyday items such as shoe soles and spools.

At SOLO Labs, Serve Others, Love Others is at the core of everything we do. Giving our print cartridges a second life is just one of the many ways we contribute to the improvement of our environment. To find out more about how you can recycle your print cartridges or computer hardware, follow this link.

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