Environmental and Health Issues and Recommendations
 Prevents Waste:
Remanufactured toner cartridges save resources by reusing components instead of disposing of them after one use.
- State agencies should purchase cartridges that meet the requirements set forth in statute.
 End-of-Life Management:
Buy from a cartridge remanufacturer or an equipment supplier that will take spent cartridges back or utilize the recycling contracts negotiated by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB).
See the Introduction for complete descriptions of these environmental and health issues.
BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH ISSUES
Each year, millions of empty toner and inkjet cartridges used in printers, fax machines, and copiers are thrown in the trash, destined for landfills and incinerators. Buying locally remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges, and recycling empty cartridges, is an easy way for government agencies and public institutions to reduce the environmental impact of these discarded products, while also saving substantial tax dollars and bolstering the local economy. Any office equipment that uses a replaceable toner or inkjet cartridge should be able to use remanufactured cartridges.
Remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges offer clear advantages over new cartridges in cost, waste reduction, and sometimes even in product quality. They are suitable for use in many printers, copiers, fax machines, and other devices using all-in-one cartridges. (Imaging systems that have separate drums and toner bottles are the exception.) The quality of remanufactured and/or recharged laser printer toner cartridges has improved dramatically since these products were first introduced more than ten years ago. High-quality remanufactured cartridges now undergo a process that renders cartridges equivalent in performance, print quality and page yield to new models and that meet all original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards and specifications. Moving away from the original "drill and fill" method that created the industry's initial problems, the current remanufacturing process now requires that the cartridges be disassembled and inspected to determine any problem areas. Worn components are replaced with new parts; all sections are completely cleaned, and a fresh supply of toner is added before the cartridge is resealed.
Most cartridge remanufacturers accept spent cartridges, reducing user-generated waste. Some OEM suppliers offer end-of-life recycling if you buy new cartridges from them. While not offering the same environmental or economic benefits as buying remanufactured cartridges, this option does prevent spent cartridges from becoming waste.
Environmental and Health Issues
Recycling
Recycling toner and inkjet cartridges is a process of collecting, sorting, cleansing, treating, or reconstituting for the manufacture of new products or the remanufacture of used cartridges.
The typical used toner cartridge weighs about three pounds and is composed of 40 percent plastic, 40 percent metal and smaller percentages of rubber, paper, foam and toner. The plastic is made of engineering-grade polymers and takes at least 1,000 years to decompose. However, approximately 97 percent of these combined components can be recycled or reused. [1]
For information on toner and inkjet cartridge recycling programs from OEM suppliers of new cartridges, contact the manufacturer of your office machine (laser printer, inkjet printer, copier, etc.). Several larger companies offer this type of program.
Source Reduction
Source reduction is at the top of the waste management hierarchy. It includes remanufacture and reuse of products. Source reduction activities reduce the amount or toxicity of wastes before they enter the municipal solid waste management system. The recovery and reuse of toner cartridges diverts millions of cubic feet of material from landfills.
Remanufacturing cartridges decreases the amount of plastic, steel, aluminum, and rubber sent to landfills and burned in incinerators. Additionally, a considerable amount of energy is saved by remanufacturing. For example, approximately three quarts of oil are consumed in the production of a single new toner cartridge. A used cartridge can be remanufactured up to four times, depending on type and condition, thereby compounding the environmental benefits. [2]
What to look for: Look for cartridges that meet the requirements set forth in statute.
Indoor Air Quality
Petroleum-based inks and toners contain solvents that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Even though Material Safety Data Sheets may not list hazardous compounds, studies of toner headspace emissions indicate ethylbenzene, xylenes and styrene are emitted from toners. [3] Paper that is processed through a printer or copy machine can emit a variety of VOCs including carcinogens. These VOCs originate from the ink and are volatilized after being heated in the print process. To avoid potential adverse health effects associated with these emissions, select inks that are not petroleum-based.
What to look for: Purchase ink or toner cartridges with agri-based ink such as soy-based inks. This will reduce adverse impacts on indoor air quality due to the volatilization of VOCs that may be present in petroleum-based ink and toner.
LAWS AND GUIDELINES
California
Statute
Public Contract Code (PCC) section 12156
This section states that:
Each state agency shall print a statement on the cover of its printer or duplicator cartridge bid packages, or in some other noticeable place in the bid packet, notifying all bidders that it is unlawful to prohibit a printer or duplication cartridge that is sold to the state from being recycled or remanufactured, except as specified in subdivision (b) of California PCC section 12156.
- Except as provided in subdivision (b) of California PCC section 12156, no state agency shall purchase any printer or duplication cartridge for which the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or remanufacturer places restrictions on the recycling or remanufacturing of that cartridge by any other person, except to enter into signed agreements with customers that consent to the return of the used cartridges to the manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or remanufacturer, only for either of the following purposes:
-
- Recycling and remanufacturing, for purposes of making the remanufactured cartridge available for purchase.
- Recycling.
State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC)
- Printer and duplication cartridges fall within the SABRC plastic products (PL) category (see PCC section 12207).
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Requirements
- PCC sections 12203 and 12209 require State agencies (including California State Universities) to ensure that at least 50 percent of the dollars spent on plastic products be spent on products that meet the content requirements set forth in PCC section 12209. Content requirements specific to printer and toner cartridges are described in PCC section 12209(f)(2). To count towards the procurement mandates printer or duplication cartridges shall comply with one of the following:
- Be a recycled cartridge that has undergone a process of collecting, sorting, cleansing, treating, or reconstituting, and which has been returned for the remanufacture of a used cartridge.
- Be a remanufactured cartridge that has been restored, renovated, repaired, or recharged, without substantial alteration of its form.
- Consist of at least 10 percent postconsumer material.
- Recycled-Content Certification Requirements
- PCC section 12205 requires State agencies to obtain from printer and duplication cartridge suppliers written certification:
- of the postconsumer content of each cartridge, or
- that the cartridge complies with the requirements of PCC section 12156(e).
- Recycled-content certification forms are available in the SABRC training manual.
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Report
- Recycled-Content Product Procurement Contract Language
- PCC section 12217(f) directs State agencies to remove contract provisions that impede the consideration of recycled products and to replace them with performance standards.
Federal
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act requires procuring agencies to buy recycled-content products designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) in the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG). Toner cartridges are USEPA-designated items. Procuring agencies include all federal agencies, and any state or local government agencies or government contractors that use appropriated federal funds to purchase the designated items. If your agency spends more than $10,000 per year on a product designated in the CPG, you are required to purchase it with the highest recycled-content level practicable. [4] This means that the recycled-content ranges recommended in the USEPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) for the item in question are met. [5],[6] The toner cartridge "RMAN recommends that procuring agencies establish procedures and policies that give priority to remanufacturing the agencies' expended toner cartridges. EPA recommends that, under such policies and procedures, agencies procure remanufacturing services for expended cartridges and, when such services are unavailable or not practicable, obtain remanufactured toner cartridges or new toner cartridges made with recovered materials from product vendors." [7]
Executive Order 13101 and the Federal Acquisition Regulation also call for an increase in the federal government's use of recycled-content and environmentally preferable products. [8]
PERFORMANCE
It has been the experience of many users that remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges will perform as well as, or better than, new cartridges when they are remanufactured by reputable companies exercising good quality control. Cartridge remanufacturing and recycling has improved drastically since it began in the 1980s and early 1990s. At that time, many companies did not properly remanufacture cartridges. Instead, they used what is referred to as the "drill and fill" method to refill cartridges without taking appropriate steps to properly disassemble, refit, clean, and reassemble the cartridge. Many customers who wanted to demonstrate environmental awareness were frustrated by poor product quality and unresponsive customer service from these disreputable companies. Today's practices are far superior. Many companies provide quality products and guarantees.
Some companies have issued further guarantees by assuring that their cartridges will not damage machines. In the event of damage, they cover any repair costs directly attributed to a faulty cartridge.
Within the office machine industry, responses to the growing cartridge remanufacturing industry vary. Some printer manufacturers that also sell cartridges have instituted their own recycling and remanufacturing programs. Others have responded more defensively by instituting warranty restrictions on their products if users do not use OEM cartridges or new cartridges or they have designed cartridges with computer chips that must communicate with the printer to provide full functionality.
Users should be wary of such warranty and technical restrictions. Under federal law, the legality of a manufacturer requiring the purchase of their supplies as a condition of warranty is questionable. Because each customer-supplier relationship may be interpreted differently in different legal forums, purchasers of printers and copiers should include specifications in the original printer purchase contract that protects the user from such exclusions.
AVAILABILITY
Remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges for printers are widely available through certified California small businesses, certified California disabled veteran business enterprises, and the Statewide office supplies contract with OfficeMax.
COST
One of the clearest advantages of using remanufactured toner or inkjet cartridges is cost savings. Remanufactured cartridges commonly cost 30 to 50 percent less than new cartridges. Moreover, they often contain up to 20 percent more toner or ink. [9] Remanufactured cartridges are a good value because product quality and performance can match or exceed that of new cartridges.
Some cartridge remanufacturers will accept used cartridges at no cost, or even buy them back or provide a credit, depending upon the model.
TIPS ON BUYING TONER AND INKJET CARTRIDGES
- All vendors should have prior successful experience producing remanufactured toner cartridges for at least one (1) year at a rate of at least two hundred (200) cartridges per month. Samples may be required prior to bid award.
- The intent of buyers should be to purchase goods, equipment and services having the least environmental impact within the constraints of statutory purchasing requirements, departmental needs, availability, and sound economic considerations.
SPECIFICATIONS
California
The Procurement Engineering Team of the Procurement Division of the Department of General Services develops and reviews specifications for statewide commodity standards and information technology. If you have questions regarding developing specifications, or would like a copy of one of their specifications, please contact the team.
Tips for Writing Specifications
There are several key issues to include in contract specifications and to keep in mind when shopping outside of a contract. Consider these issues related to the vendor's remanufacturing process and product performance.
- How long has the company been in business?
- What kind of references can the company provide?
- Does the company use a true remanufacturing process to disassemble, replace parts, clean, refill with toner, and reassemble cartridges - not just "refill" them? What parts are replaced during the process?
- Are the remanufactured toner cartridges able to perform to specifications equal to, or exceeding original equipment manufacturer's (OEM) cartridge standards of quality and performance and approved remanufactured toner cartridge industry standards? Toner cartridges furnished to this specification should meet or exceed the latest remanufactured toner cartridge standards, or the guidelines adopted by the Standardized Test Methods Committee (STMC), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA), including the ASTM F 1856 Standards, ASTM F 335 and F 2036 Standards and ISTA - Integrity Procedure 1A Standards (ISTA 1A).
- Can the remanufacturer certify that its remanufactured toner cartridges have been tested in accordance with the above standards and guidelines and that its cartridges have met or exceeded those tests?
- Does the company test each cartridge before it is sent out? Will it provide a test page printed from each cartridge, demonstrating that it performs properly?
- What is the length of the warranty coverage? Does the warranty cover any damages to equipment caused by a faulty cartridge?
- Will the company accept the return of used cartridges, and for which models?
- Will it require one-to-one exchange, or accept any number of cartridges? Will it charge to accept used cartridges, accept cartridges at no cost, or provide a credit for each used cartridge accepted?
- If the toner cartridge defect rate exceeds three percent (3%) of all cartridges utilized within any six-month period, will the company accept the return of all unused product for a full refund?
Sample Language
When buying toner and inkjet cartridges, include specifications which require:
- Assessment to determine if the toner cartridge can be remanufactured.
- Complete disassembly of toner cartridge to thoroughly clean and check all internal and external components against the original manufacturer's specifications. Worn, damaged, or end of life-cycle components should be replaced.
- Replacement of the original OEM drum with a new drum (which may include an extended life-drum). If the returned toner cartridge is equipped with an extended-life drum, bidder shall inspect it, clean it, or replace it with a new extended-life drum or new after market drum.
- Replacement of all seals with an OEM-type heat seal, card seal, or pressure sensitive seal.
- Replacement of the primary charge roller (PCR) with a re-coated or new PCR.
- Replacement of wiper blade meeting OEM specifications or the latest remanufactured toner cartridge industry standards adopted by the STMC or the latest guidelines adopted by ASTM for remanufactured toner cartridges.
- Replacement of any parts not meeting OEM specifications or the latest remanufactured toner cartridge industry standards adopted by the STMC or the latest guidelines adopted by ASTM for remanufactured toner cartridges.
- Filling of toner cartridge meeting OEM specifications or the latest remanufactured toner cartridge industry standards adopted by the STMC or the latest guidelines adopted by ASTM for remanufactured toner cartridges.
- Chemically cleaning or replacing the corona wire assembly (where applicable).
- All cartridges are to be tested after remanufacturing by installing the cartridge in an applicable printer, running and inspecting test copies. A copy of a test page is to be included with the finished product.
- All defective toner cartridges will be returned to the vendor at vendor's expense. Vendors should supply pre-paid mailing labels, or should pick up defective cartridge(s) at the buyer's location.
- A diagnostic analysis should be performed to determine the cause of the problem for any toner cartridge returned by the buyer.
- The diagnostic analysis report should be delivered to the buyer within ten (10) business days.
- If the analysis determines that the toner cartridge failed, a replacement remanufactured cartridge should be provided at no expense to the buyer within ten (10) business days from completion of analysis.
- The vendors should warrant the remanufactured toner cartridges against defects in material and workmanship for a minimum of one year from the date of manufacture.
- Vendors should provide in-person or third party collection of all used and empty toner cartridges.
- Vendor should recycle end-of-life toner cartridges and provide buyer with details of its recycling program upon request.
- The vendors should ensure that remaining toner in used cartridges, and all cartridges, casings, and parts not remanufactured or used to create a remanufactured cartridge, are recycled or disposed of in a manner that complies with all environmental and human health and safety laws and regulations.
- At buyer's request, vendors should provide manifests and any other documentation needed to confirm the proper disposal of material.
Other Specifications
- King County, Washington
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services. This database contains contract language, specifications, and policies created and used by federal, state, and local governments and others to buy environmentally preferable products and services.
- If you have a specification for an environmentally preferable product or service, consider asking the USEPA to include it in this database.
VENDORS
Statewide Contract, Small Businesses and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises
Remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges are available through the mandatory Statewide office supplies contract with OfficeMax, Inc. (Contract #1-01-75-55). The use of this contract is mandatory for all State departments except when they purchase from a certified California Small Business (SB) or a certified California Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE). Emergencies and circumstances identified in Exhibit D of the contract, which lists flagged and blocked merchandise classes and items, also are exceptions to the mandatory contract.
NOTE: Some products are available from certified California SBs and DVBEs through the Statewide mandatory contract with OfficeMax, Inc.
Local agencies may use State procurement contracts.
Other Sources
Recycled-Content Product Directory
The California Integrated Waste Management Board's Recycled-Content Product Directory contains thousands of listings of recycled-content products from thousands of suppliers.
SUCCESS STORIES
State of California
The California Integrated Waste Management Board fact sheet titled "Have You Gotten Recharged Lately?" describes the benefits of recycling your used computer printer ink/toner cartridges, and it includes testimonials from State agencies on their experience using recharged printer ink/toner cartridges.
Ventura County, California
The County of Ventura spent $524,000 on laser and toner cartridges in 2004. Buying remanufactured cartridges saved the county a considerable amount of money in these budget conscious times. Remanufactured cartridges generally cost Ventura County about 20 percent to 50 percent less than OEM cartridges. [10]
State of Wisconsin
Since 1990, Wisconsin has been a leader in the development of recycled product specifications, and has led several regional state cooperative procurements by working with the Council of Great Lakes Governors. State agencies buy recharged toner cartridges in addition to other recycled products. Wisconsin has considered the potential of every type of recycled product for state procurement. Even in those cases where the purchase was not pursued, they have communicated their concerns to vendors and industry in the hopes of improving price, performance, competition, or availability. [11]
RESOURCES AND WEBSITES
California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB)
Sacramento, CA
(916) 341-6000
The CIWMB's mission is to reduce waste, promote the management of all materials to their highest and best use, and protect public health and safety and the environment, in partnership with all Californians. Visit the CIWMB's Ink and Toner Cartridges Web page for information on cartridges.
King County Environmental Purchasing Program
Seattle, WA
(206) 296-0100
(800) 325-6165
A pioneer and contemporary model in environmental procurement, King County provides sample contract specifications for toner cartridges and information on a variety of other products. In addition, its Web site contains procurement case studies along with resources for environmental purchasing and waste reduction.
Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (SWMCB) of Minnesota
The SWMCB's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide provides assistance on the purchase of numerous environmentally preferable products, including remanufactured toner and inkjet cartridges.
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
Washington, DC
(202) 272-0167
In order to assist federal agencies in purchasing environmentally preferable products and services, the USEPA offers a wide range of information about products such as toner cartridges. Visit the USEPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) Web site for Recovered Materials Advisory Notices (RMAN), which recommend recycled-content levels. The site includes a toner cartridges page, a downloadable nonpaper office products fact sheet for 2004, and a CPG Supplier Database. The USEPA also maintains a Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services that contains local, state, and federal contract and policy specifications, product environmental performance standards/guidelines, lists of products identified as "green" by other organizations, and links to additional useful environmental information on products and/or services.
[1] Alameda County Waste Management Authority, Alameda County Source Reduction and Recycling Board. Remanufactured Toner Cartridges in Alameda County Fact Sheet. Last updated in May 2004. Available at www.stopwaste.org/docs/toner.pdf.
[2] Commonwealth of Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program. Product Information: Toner Cartridges, Laser Printer (Remanufactured) Web page. Available at www.mass.gov/epp/products/toner.htm.
[3] Wolkoff, P., Wilkins, C.K., Clausen, P.A., and Larsen, K. Comparison of Volatile Organic Compounds from Processed Paper and Toners. 1993.
[4] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Nonpaper Office Products Fact Sheet. Available at www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.
[5] From California Integrated Waste Management Board staff communication with Office of the Federal Environmental Executive staff on December 12, 2005.
[6] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Nonpaper Office Products Fact Sheet. Available at: www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.
[7] United States Environmental Protection Agency. Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Toner Cartridges Web page. Available at www.epa.gov/cpg/products/toner.htm.
[8] United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2004 Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Buy-Recycled Series Nonpaper Office Products Fact Sheet. Available at: www.epa.gov/cpg/factshts.htm.
[9] Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide, Section 6.4. Available at www.greenguardian.com/eppg/6_4.asp.
[10] Ventura County, Environmental & Energy Resources Division. Remanufactured Cartridges Web page. Available at www.wasteless.org/8_1_5_1cartridgesprint.html.
[11] State of Wisconsin, Bureau of Procurement, VendorNetSystem. Recycling Procurement Program Web Page. Available at vendornet.state.wi.us/vendornet/recycle/index.asp.
Special Note: Portions of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Best Practices Manual were borrowed or adapted from the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide published by the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board of Minnesota.
|
