Hewlett-Packard is boosting its effort to effectively recycle used inkjet printer cartridges, Wednesday introducing a new process that manufactures new cartridges from recycled cartridges that are separated and rebuilt from scratch.

The “closed loop” process gives used HP inkjet cartridges a sustainable end-of-life value and puts the material back to good use while being environmentally friendly.

The process first breaks down plastic in printer cartridges made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), after which additives including fibers and resins are used to strengthen and regenerate the plastic. The remolded plastic is then used to manufacture new HP inkjet cartridges.

The plastics or cartridges are not melted, refilled, resold or sent to a landfill, HP said. The process also applies to other products, like PET water bottles.

The process, which went into pilot in 2005, has already resulted in HP manufacturing 200 million printer cartridges. The process will go into full manufacturing now.

Each inkjet cartridge contains 70 percent to 100 percent recycled material. Users will find the process beneficial as cartridges with new material perform better than used or refilled cartridges.

HP allows users to return inkjet cartridges worldwide for free in most cases through its recycling program, said Ken Fleming, marketing director of supplies for HP. In some cases, a postage-paid return envelope is provided by HP with the inkjet print cartridge box.

The process will apply only to HP cartridges, the company said. No external inkjet cartridge brand is being put through the new recycling process.

Before the implementation of the new process, not all plastic recovered went into making new cartridges. They were used by others to manufacture products including auto parts and toys.

The inkjet cartridge recycling initiative is the latest in HP’s broad effort to be environmentally friendly. HP recently announced that it would implement more energy-efficient technologies across its PC lines to reduce computer energy use by 25 percent in 2010.

The grim economic picture darkened further today with news that the price of ink for printer cartridges has reached an all time high of $1000 a barrel on the New York futures exchange. The world’s most traded commodity has seen a steady rise in price over recent months due to supply problems, increased demand from China and a failure of consumers to send their empty cartridges to the charity recycling centre and just leaving them in their desk drawer instead.
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Recently, we told you that Polaroid launched a new color mobile printer that uses no ink. Yes, there is a way to print images without a single drop of ink. The trick is in a special type of paper developend by Zink Imaging (“Zink” also stands for “zero ink”). The paper incorporates color crystals that are be activated by heat of printhead.

Now here is a video of a “dive” inside the paper, so that you can have a look at how the crystals work:

OKI Data Americas, which markets its products under the OKI® Printing Solutions brand, today announced that the C5550n MFP won the highly-regarded Government Computer News (GCN) “Reviewers Choice” designation in the magazine’s January 7 color MFP roundup.

Receiving an overall “A-“, GCN editors praised the color MFP for its ”no notable flaws and superior performance” that took the competition by surprise. The review noted that “in terms of color quality, the OKI C5550n MFP was the best of the printers that use standard toner” and also touted the device’s ease-of-use with one-touch features – all ideal for government agencies.

“OKI Data Americas has closely listened to our customers’ needs and intently studied the industry’s trends to develop a highly competitive line of MFPs – this recognition from Government Computer News proves that the industry experts are noticing our commitment,” said Mike Garofola, Sr. Marketing Manager, Color Products at OKI Data Americas, Inc. “As the review points out, consolidation and cost are the two greatest concerns for most organizations. But in this expanding MFP market, only a well-designed device that both maximizes cost savings and improves office workflow and productivity is worth purchasing.”

The C5550n MFP is designed as a solution to meet the needs of most small-to-medium sized workgroups. The MFP provides all-in-one functionality with convenient print, copy, scan and analog fax features that enhance workflow performance and its media flexibility enables users to print high-quality materials in-house. Users will also have the ability to further reduce costs by combining separate office equipment into one space-saving device.

The C5550n MFP offers the fastest monochrome print and copy speeds in its class,1 up to 32 pages-per-minute (ppm); and competitive color speeds of up to 20 ppm2. At an estimated street price of $1,499, the C5550n MFP delivers brilliant 1200 x 600 dpi print quality and maximum media flexibility, including 8.5 x 47.24-inch banner capability in a versatile, compact device. It is available in North and South America exclusively through OKI Printing Solutions authorized solution providers.

The product builds on parent company OKI Data Corporation’s history of leadership and innovation in color printing. It is based on the 7th generation of printing technologies advanced by OKI Data Corporation, such as digital LED technology and Single Pass Color. This technology allows OKI Data to manufacture products that require fewer moving parts.

Every product comes with a one-year Overnight Exchange warranty and an industry-leading five-year warranty on the digital LED print heads. Like all OKI Printing Solutions products, the C5550n MFP is backed by comprehensive support from authorized OKI Printing Solutions solution providers. In addition, the company provides live, toll-free technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, with agents based in North America.

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