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Author Topic: Epson ink cartridge recycling..  (Read 15640 times)

DougMorgan

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« on: June 13, 2008, 07:21:02 pm »

Hello all:

Does anyone know if epson canada (or anywhere else for that matter) actually reuses empy wide format ink cartridges?   Or are they just recycling the plastic?   Or just throwing them away?

In Canada, at least, there was a few months where epson was paying for the return postage of empty cartridges.  No longer.   Now there is no mention on the website of taking them back at all.   Yeah epson.  At any rate if epson is not in fact re-using them I was going to remove the ink bag & chip and dump the case in the recycle bin.   Any thoughts?

Doug
« Last Edit: June 13, 2008, 07:26:30 pm by DougMorgan »
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Brian Gilkes

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2008, 04:47:11 am »

No idea about Canada, but I suspect with origins now in China as well as Japan , any recycling is highly unlikely.
I'd love to be proved wrong.
When you disassemble for non-Epson recycling don't forget the ink- a lott of which contains toxic chromium (Ultrachrome). The 220 ml carts I use for a 9800 have 50-75ml left in a so called "empty" cart. I've collected all mine and intend to use it for ink-brush painting. I'll share it out as I produce much more than I could ever possibly use.
You're on the right track
Cheers,
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
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Ernst Dinkla

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2008, 05:54:02 am »

Quote
When you disassemble for non-Epson recycling don't forget the ink- a lott of which contains toxic chromium (Ultrachrome). The 220 ml carts I use for a 9800 have 50-75ml left in a so called "empty" cart. I've collected all mine and intend to use it for ink-brush painting. I'll share it out as I produce much more than I could ever possibly use.
You're on the right track
Cheers,
Brian
www.pharoseditions.com.au
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Brian,

First of all, if water based inkjet ink contained chromium in a toxic quantity and/or form it wouldn't be available in Japan, Europe, US and Australia. Think color when you read chrome. It would not even be available if the companies had a working cartridge recycling system. As I understand it the EU requires a recycling system for cartridges but none of the manufacturers has a practical solution so far. If there was chromium in it you bet the use of that ink would be far more restricted and not available for Joe Sixpack (there's a legal toxic substitute for him).

Neomark Taiwan which is a big third party ink manufacturer for example has this MSDS sheet, check the bottom of that document on heavy metals. The ink is still considered hazardous waste but that's the only ecological negative mark in that report and most likely based on the glycols etc.

[a href=\"http://www.neomark.net/inkjet/MSDS.htm]http://www.neomark.net/inkjet/MSDS.htm[/url]

I'm amazed that there still 50-75 ML in your empty 9800 carts. I expected something like 5 - 10 ML for that generation of printers.


Ernst Dinkla

Try: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wide_Inkjet_Printers/
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Dale_Cotton

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2008, 07:46:14 am »

Speaking of recycling cartridges, I have 3 dozen expended 220 ml. Is it possible someone would want them for refilling and/or 3rd party inks?
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jdoyle1713

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2008, 09:06:08 am »

Hey Guys

I have a started a program for recycling The carts. Here Is The Link http://www.shadesofpaper.com/index.php?cPath=52

What actually happens is The Ink is used as fuel and The carts are reycled.
really Neat process.

I have also used this as a Process to give something away for this and promote new papers or products its always changing..

Hope all have a great fathers day!

Cheers
Jim Doyle
http://www.shadesofpaper.com
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Jim Doyle
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DougMorgan

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2008, 12:11:02 pm »

Quote
Hey Guys

I have a started a program for recycling The carts. Here Is The Link http://www.shadesofpaper.com/index.php?cPath=52

What actually happens is The Ink is used as fuel and The carts are reycled.
really Neat process.

I have also used this as a Process to give something away for this and promote new papers or products its always changing..

Hope all have a great fathers day!

Cheers
Jim Doyle
http://www.shadesofpaper.com
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=201699\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Great idea Jim.

I've already gone and stripped my 4000 cartridges for local recycling, which took about an hour for 50 carts or so.   The remaining ink in the bags seemed to vary more than I'd have expected but was always more than 25mls I would guess.  

I still have a growing stack of 9880 and 4880 cartridges.    With my previous smaller printer I used to just give the cartridges to the ink refillers but the local ones have no interest in the wide format cartridges.   Too bad though the cartridges can't be reused or refilled which would be greener than recycling.  After taking 50 apart I can see it would be simple to just replace the ink bag with a full one and reset the chip.

Also too bad epson won't step (back) up to the plate.   I think in Canada there was legislation afoot to either charge a deposit or otherwise compel the printer manufacturers to take the cartridges back but with Harper the threat must have vanished in a puff of oil-sands smoke.

While we are having a green father's day, another item that concerns me is the plastic roll ends.   Would shades of paper be able to reuse these?   I'm currently collecting  my breathing color ones for return and reuse to them as soon as I have a full box but I've still got epson ones as well.   Should be cheaper to ship as they pack well and no reason the ends shouldn't be reusable.  

Why do we use a material with a life span of 100's of years for disposable items?  On that cheerful note I'll wish every one a happy father's day and thanks for the replies.....
Doug
« Last Edit: June 15, 2008, 12:17:27 pm by DougMorgan »
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Peter Langham

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2008, 04:09:02 pm »

Inkjet Mall is starting to make a CIS from used Epson 3800 carts.  I think they will pay for your old 3800 carts.  

Peter
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Brian Gilkes

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2008, 07:29:39 pm »

Ernst,
I'll try to get an analysis done on the inks. I shall check my informants more carefully. I do note the analysis provided is not for Epson Ultrachrome inks and no reference is made to chromium.
50 ml is average at Epson's "ink out" warning in a 220 ml cart. The higher amounts can occur when a cart has been removed and is later replaced.Some users report lesser amounts say 25ml., so my chip reader may be conservative- if that is possible. I haven't heard of anyone making 5-10ml. It seems the 880 series may be better, and I have high hopes for the 900 series.I believe Epson lost a case in the USA on this issue.
Brian
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Farmer

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« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2008, 11:26:03 pm »

MSDS are available at:

http://www.epson.com.au/prographics/downlo...wnloadtype=msds

There's no chromium in the ink - whoever told you that is wrong, plain and simple.
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Phil Brown

Brian Gilkes

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2008, 02:49:35 am »

Quote
There's no chromium in the ink - whoever told you that is wrong, plain and simple.

Thanks Phil,
Brian
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Hollo

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Epson ink cartridge recycling..
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2010, 07:16:07 pm »

I know many of you who are contributing to this discussion are not in the US, but I just found this:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/Recycle...ycleProgram.jsp

Epson seems to be recycling the carts but I can't tell if they are reusing or melting down.

 CH

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Chris Hollo
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