Cartridge recycling program isn't green or cost-effective

A Sacramento, California newspaper investigated an HP recycling initiative that was implemented in California state offices.

On paper, the recycling program was touted as a bold step toward California's green, climate-friendly future.

A mountain of plastic and metal would be diverted from landfills. Greenhouse gas emissions would tumble. And one of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's climate change goals – trimming power use in state buildings by 20 percent – would nudge closer to reality as agencies snapped up new, more efficient office printers.

That is what state and Hewlett-Packard officials said last year when they joined forces to ship used HP printer ink cartridges from state offices to Virginia to be ground up and recycled into auto parts, serving trays, clothes hangers and other products.

But a Bee investigation, based on more than 100 pages of e-mails and other records, has found that 17 months after it was created, the program has delivered few if any of its promised climate benefits.

Read more.

Beware of toner scams

This morning at the store, I received an interesting phone call.

The young woman on the other end gave me her spiel, which was to offer me a quote on my inkjet and toner cartridges. "I can probably save you a lot of money next time you need to replace your cartridges."

"Well, that's my business," I told her. "I sell ink and toner, so I would probably be a really bad customer for you." She promptly hung up.

I googled the company's name, and found that they have a long history of scamming businesses. Basically, they call and offer you a free cartridge to try out for 2 weeks. They tell you if you are not happy, you can return it at no charge. Seems like a win-win, right?

Well, they will send you your free cartridge, but then tell you that you have actually agreed to purchase several more cartridges at full price (which, according to some victims cost 3 and 4 times as much as an OEM cartridge at any office supply store). Sometimes the number of cartridges you agreed to purchase will change a couple of times within a single phone call.

The company will then proceed to send out a new order at least once a month, whether you placed an order or not (and usually it seems an order is never placed). They will now begin hounding you to pay invoices for overpriced product that you never even ordered!

Be aware of these tactics. Don't give out your printer models or serial numbers unless you know who you are talking to. My advice is to purchase from a local company with an actual brick and mortar presence.

Summer Toner Sale!

Now through the end of August, get an extra 40% off the already reduced prices on select remanufactured toner cartridges! Summer is the perfect time to stock up on your printer supplies; it is also a great time to be set up on our
customized online ordering system. Ordering supplies is as easy as 1-2-3! Call or e-mail us for more information!

www.ink-station.com

Welcome to Ink Station's new blog!

Ink Station is excited to introduce our brand new blog. Here we hope to share new product releases, technology upgrades, information related to ink, toner, printing and anything else that seems relevant!

Stay tuned!