Have you ever wondered why printers are so cheap, but printer ink is so expensive? Most of us get so caught up in the routine of purchasing new cartridges, that we haven’t stopped to ask this question, and consider our alternatives. Recently, more people have been asking themselves this question, and the consensus is that it’s time to start shopping around.

The best place to find cheaper options that are of the same or similar quality is online. Keep in mind, you will be searching for remanufactured versions of OEM cartridges, which are actually better for the environment as well. Your big brands like HP, Canon, and Xerox are a few examples of original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Remanufacturing printer ink cartridges involves taking previously used ink cartridges from the OEM and cleaning, replacing parts, refilling ink, inspecting to ensure they work with various types of printers, and reselling the items. Remanufactured ink cartridges generally last just as long, or sometimes longer than name-brand cartridges, but are produced by a third party.

Low Cost

Buying remanufactured ink results in significant savings, generally from 50 to 75 percent less than buying new name-brand options. Companies that specialize in remanufacturing printer ink cartridges can generally set their own prices much less than big manufacturers. Some remanufacturers will even buy used cartridges and provide a credit to grant you even more savings.

More Prints for Less

On many occasions you will find that remanufactured printer ink cartridges also enable you to get more prints, because OEM cartridges are often not completely filled with ink. Some original manufacturers even intentionally fill cartridges with less ink to keep consumers buying more sooner. Many remanufacturing companies fill cartridges to the maximum capacity, with professional quality ink, which may even double the amount of pages you can print per cartridge. You can get even more prints out of laser toners than ink cartridges, which most remanufacturers typically offer for 50% less than comparable OEM toners.

Warranty and Quality

Many remanufactured ink cartridges come with a warranty that guarantees the quality of the product as compared to an original new cartridge. Remanufacturers always strive to provide the same quality as the high-priced OEM cartridges, and they will often offer free replacements in the event that a bad cartridge slips by inspection. However, the remanufactured cartridges go through a sensitive process to make sure they are reproduced correctly, so this doesn’t happen very often. The empty cartridges are thoroughly cleaned with a special solution, carefully refilled, and the ink’s flow to pressure ratio is strictly monitored to prevent leaking. Once the remanufacturing process is complete, either the companies themselves sell the cartridges, or they distribute the ink and toner to various websites to sell.

Better for The Environment

Over 300 million ink and toner cartridges wind up in our landfills each year, and take roughly 500 years to decompose. In fact, federal agencies have recently been banned from disposing of e-waste in landfills to prevent pollution and risks to public health. Perhaps the greatest reason that recycled/remanufactured cartridges are rising in popularity is that they fit into the 3 R’s of eco-friendly causes: reduce, reuse, and recycle. There are numerous recycling programs out there that will send you necessary shipping materials for free, so there’s no reason to continue throwing your empties in the garbage.

If you’re looking to save money on printing supplies, or enjoy eco-friendly causes, remanufactured cartridges are a great place to start.