Toner Cartridge Remanufacturing Saves Money and the Environment

What common office supply, if treated properly in its afterlife, can divert more than 38,000 tons of waste from landfills annually and save businesses money?

Toner cartridge remanufacturing is a prime example of how economic prosperity and environmental conservation can work hand-in-hand—when it makes economic sense to do things environmentally, the system takes care of itself, says Nabil Nasr, director of the National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery (NCR3) at Rochester Institute of Technology's Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS).

NCR3 tests and evaluates remanufactured toner cartridges to assure standardized quality, helps remanufacturers improve their product, and continually looks for ways to remanufacture a higher percentage of each toner cartridge. Assemblyman Joe Morelle, a long-time champion of the remanufacturing industry was instrumental in establishing the toner cartridge lab at RIT, with a $150,000 start up grant from the state of New York.

"The National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery's product-evaluation lab is an important economic development tool in fostering New York's environmentally sensitive industries," says Assemblyman Morelle. "I want to commend Dr. Nasr and Rochester Institute of Technology for making RIT the nation's leading center for applied research and development in remanufacturing."

"The remanufactured cartridge industry is one of the most significant reuse efforts in the country," says Timonie Hood, an environmental protection specialist for EPA Region 9 in California.

The 'young' toner cartridge remanufacturing industry involves 10,000 companies employing 65,000 people worldwide, generating more than $160 million in revenue in the U.S. alone. And it is an industry that will continue to grow.

"The cartridge industry is going to grow for two key reasons," says Nasr. "First, increased pressure by government agencies to purchase remanufactured products will continue. Second, quality has been established and been proven."

Consumers' perception of the quality of remanufactured products ranging from toner cartridges to computer parts to CV-joints has long been an issue in the industry. NCR3,s mission is to help the remanufacturing industry design and manufacture standardized products to like-new condition with no negative impact on the environment.

Remanufactured products not only save resources and conserve energy, they also cost less. Remanufactured cartridges generally cost 20 to 50 percent less than new ones. For each pound of new material used in remanufacturing, 5 to 9 pounds of original materials are conserved, and the product can cost as much as 50 percent less than the new product.

Keep that in mind the next time you grab something off the printer.

BACKGROUND: The National Center for Remanufacturing and Resource Recovery (NCR3) is the nation's leading center for applied research and development in remanufacturing, helping remanufacturing and resource recovery industries improve productivity, reliability and processes without harming the environment. With its advanced proven technologies and hands-on experience, NCR3 is uniquely capable of developing the innovative and concrete solutions needed to take remanufacturing and resource recovery industries to the cutting edge.

The Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies (CIMS) at Rochester Institute of Technology is a world-class organization with a mission to increase the competitiveness of United States manufacturers through applied technology and training. Established in 1992, CIMS provides technology and workforce development solutions that strengthen industrial clients' ability to compete in the global marketplace. CIMS business units also include Corporate Education and Training, Manufacturing Technologies, the Printing Applications Laboratory, and the Center for Excellence in Lean Enterprise. CIMS represents a dynamic collaboration of in-house technical experts, as well as academic, industry and government resources.