1. I've heard that recycled cartridges suffer from quality problems. Why would I want to run that risk? I've tried recycled toner cartridges before and they didn't work! So what's changed?

Back when recycling toner cartridges started, a lot of folks were eager to make a fast buck. They saw an opportunity and used it. Unfortunately, with little or no technical ability or training, they made a poor quality product that caused a lot of problems. For you and for me.

Add to that the fact that Canon owned the patent on the technology and the cartridge components as well. This meant if recyclers needed to replace parts, the only ones available were inferior, or the cartridges had to be jury-rigged.

But in the past nine years, patents and contracts have expired, and some of the companies that were previously restricted from selling recycled important after market parts; now can; and do. In fact, some of those companies have made even better after market parts than the OEMs themselves.

In addition to that, recyclers have had to do a lot of experimenting and have developed new techniques for making these cartridges better. So much so that some 9 of them have figured out solutions to problems (and patented them) that even IBM and some of the other big guys couldn't figure out, or didn't need to, because they knew the market place could and would.

What does this mean for you? Simple, as recyclers now have more ways to bring you better quality toner cartridges than in past years. If you haven't already tried recycled cartridges, or if you have tried poor quality recycled cartridges, you should try Laser Re Nu's.

2. Will I get the same number of printed pages from a remanufactured toner cartridge as a new cartridge?

We guarantee that you will get at least the same number of printed pages from our remanufactured toner cartridges as you will get from a new toner cartridge. (Click here to view the page yields for popular toner cartridges)

3. Will using a recycled toner cartridge void my printer warranty?

Absolutely not! Federal law in the USA prohibits any company or person from requiring you to purchase only their product. The US Federal Trade Commission protects the rights of consumers to purchase the product or service of their choice under the Magnusson-Moss Warranty Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, Subparagraph C, Section, 101 If you bought a new car, would you let them tell you to buy only a particular brand of gasoline? Of course not!

(click here to view remanufactured toner cartridge information)

If anyone tells you that they will void your warranty if you use a recycled toner cartridge, ask them for it in
writing. Chances are they won't. Because although the Magnusson-Moss' law applies in the US, we believe that Hewlett Packard (being a US company) will be morally obliged to follow the US practice. Already, HP printers sold in Malaysia carry a statement that the use of recycled toner cartridges will not void their printer's warranty

4. Can a recycled toner cartridge damage my printer?

A toner cartridge that has been properly recycled cannot cause damage of any kind to your laser printer. It is therefore important to find a cartridge remanufacturer that is experienced in the proper methods of recycling. 

The worst case scenarios for an improperly remanufactured cartridge are:

a) the toner from the cartridge may dump in the printer. This does not cause any damage to the printer but it does need to be cleaned. The toner is designed to withstand high temperatures. In fact, the paper in the printer will burn before the toner does. However, printers have heat sensors and will shut down before this occurs. In this case, the problem lies, not with the cartridge, but with the fuser;

b) (really the worst case) a part of the cartridge falls off the cartridge and goes into the fuser. The fuser will then of course have to be repaired.

5. Are recycled toner cartridges really environmentally sound?

Each cartridge equals .5 quarts of oil and is made up of four pounds of non-biodegradable parts that will pollute the environment forever. The average toner cartridge is made up of up to 120 precision-engineered plastic and metal components. Most of these are perfectly re-usable or replaceable after the toner runs out. In the US, 40,000 tons of non-biodegradable plastics were thrown into its landfills in 1989. Every year since, that amount has grown even larger. Every time you use a recycled laser toner cartridge, you help reduce the amount of plastic trash thrown into our landfills.

6. If my printer salesman said I shouldn't use a recycled product, shouldn't I listen to him?

Printer salesmen are just that. Printer salesmen. That's what they specialize in. Sometimes they have a sideline-selling new toner cartridges. It's long-term, reliable business that he doesn't have to do anything to get. Of course, he's going to tell you to buy them new! Somebody should tell him what he's doing to our overflowing landfills and your pocketbook, not to mention adding to our unbalanced foreign trade deficit!

7. My printer repairman said I shouldn't use a recycled product too. Doesn't he know what he's talking about?

Printer repairmen are in a good position to see many cartridges from many companies, both recycled and new. They can see what works, and what doesn't. Any repairman who is knowledgeable will till you that even new cartridges can cause printer problems and headaches.

8. Does the manufacturer recommend a recycled cartridge?

No, they don't recommend it. But you know what the funny thing is? They do it themselves. Apple recently signed a contract with a recycler in Texas. They want you to think they are doing it themselves, but they're not. Hewlett Packard is looking for a site in Europe to build a recycling plant. The fact is, everybody recycles. Hewlett Packard, Apple, everybody. There is more profit for these companies in a new cartridge, so they push them.

9. How do I know if my laser printer uses a cartridge that can be remanufactured?

Simple. Eighty percent of all laser printers on the market today use a Canon-based engine. That means that Canon holds the patent on the engine and print technology. They manufacture the engine and cartridge; and sell them to another company (such as Hewlett Packard or Apple). These companies in turn put their name and label on it and jack up the price. They are all the same engines and all the same cartridges.

10. How much does a remanufactured cartridge cost?

If you are like most people, you want to save money. Our remanufactured toner cartridges for HP printers are 40% to 50% cheaper than HP's recommended selling prices. That's 100% quality at only half the price!.