When it comes to taking printouts, some people do not pause to consider whether they really need them. These people will print just about anything they feel they need. This could include presentations, handouts, documents, spreadsheets, emails etc. If they reflected for a moment or two, they would be able to reduce their printing requirements by at least 50 percent. This trend of printing any document that might be useful is particularly prevalent in workplaces across Australia.
You will not find as many people taking unnecessary prints on their personal computers and notebooks. In fact, it is quite likely that the habitual printers will demonstrate immense restraint when it comes to taking printouts at their home. Unnecessary prints wear out or exhaust the printer cartridge at a much faster pace. Of more concern is the fact that rapid use of laser cartridges and printer inks increases the generation of electronic waste (or e-waste).
The Shore Regional Organisation of Councils (SHOROC) represents a partnership between various councils. These councils comprise of the region of the Northern Beaches – from Bradley’s Head to Barrenjoey. SHOROC remains committed to delivering regional outcomes on various projects that enhance the quality of life for Australians. In their recent campaign on banning the dumping of e-waste in landfills, they released a document. Culled from a number of sources, the document declared that:
E-waste is growing at the rate of three times that of general municipal waste
- In 2008, 37 million computers were already present or being sent to landfill sites in Australia
- Australians purchase 2.4 million computers annually
- Only 1.5 percent of computers are currently recycled
- Each year, Australians dispose of 2,179,000 – 8,715,000 printer cartridges
When people dispose of their laser cartridges, they will not consider the effects of their profligate printing habits. That will only come with an awareness of the threat posed by the toxic chemicals and gases produced at landfill sites. The repercussions only hit home when these chemicals contaminate the groundwater people drink.
In these days of increased environmental awareness, using eco-friendly products is a good way of expressing your concern for the environment. It is also a good way to highlight your responsibility towards the environment. Several manufacturers offer solid printer inks made of natural vegetable oils. Buying a laser cartridge with solid ink could be useful in reducing your carbon footprint. However, it might even be worthwhile exploring other options such as recycling your printer cartridges. Several organisations and charities offer this service e.g. www.Recycle4Charity.com and www.RecyclingNearYou.com.au.
Another simpler way of making your cheap ink cartridge last longer, is to use it effectively – and that too, only when it is necessary. Some tips that help you derive maximum use from your cartridges include:
- Switch off or unplug the printer when you are not using it. This keeps the nozzles free from blockages caused by dry ink.
- Turn off the printer from the front control panel before you unplug it from the wall. This protects the print head and reduces the possibility of the nozzles drying out.
- Consider the resolution of the document or image you are printing. Print documents at lower resolution settings. Print photographs and images at a resolution of 300 dots per inch (dpi). Print larger files at lower resolutions i.e. 150-200 dpi.
- Avoid running printer cleaning cycles frequently. These cycles are most effective when your printer shows signs of blocked nozzles.
- Avoid colour prints unless needed for clients and other important documents. Try to maximise the use of greyscale prints as far as possible.
- Print documents for personal use in the draft mode.
- Do not replace the toner as soon as the refill indicator light starts blinking. Refill indicators on modern printers indicate that the toner is low on ink rather than being completely empty. Use the same toner until the printouts become lighter or streaked.
- If your cartridge shows signs of running out of ink, remove the cartridge and shake it vigorously a few times, before re-installing it. The residual ink could serve you for a few more occasions.
Within fourteen years since its inception, InkPot has become a top provider of laser printer cartridges and inks. Online shopping has become a convenience that people cannot do without. Therefore, you can even purchase printer cartridges online. Based on the amount you spend on your purchase, you could get a significant discount too. Therefore, we recommend that you make several purchases at once to enjoy optimal benefits. Moreover, for purchases of $75 or over, you even get free freight delivery to certain locations.
When you need to find a specific brand of ink – from the latest cartridge to hit the market to a cheap ink cartridge – we offer a comprehensive range of products. Thus, you could find a cartridge that you could not locate anywhere else. Call us at 1300 793 593 or visit our website for more details.