HP gives plastics second life

Ink cartridges can now be made from recycled materials

Recycled plastic bottles and CD cases could soon be reincarnated as ink cartridges, according to one printer manufacturer.

HP says recycled plastics are usually “downcycled”, turning them into a product of lesser quality than their original form. Last week, however, it announced that it has developed a method for turning recycled plastics, including old ink cartridges, into new inkjet cartridges.

The cartridges are not labelled as recycled, but according to HP they are made from over 70 per cent recycled materials.

HP's Kirsty Macintyre told Computeractive that the firm has “gradually been increasing the amount of recyclable plastics" it uses.

“Now we are confident that the mix of plastics and chemicals is just right to ensure the quality of cartridges made from recycled plastics is exactly the same as original ones,” she added.

Greenpeace welcomed the news, claiming it was a step forward in reducing the waste generated from plastics. Zeina Alhajj, a representative for the organisation, said: “Using these methods will mean plastics won’t end up in landfills. We would like to see more products made of recycled plastics."

However, Alhajj raised concerns that parts of ink cartridges that contain Bromides, which can be harmful to the environment, might not be recycled.

HP denies this, saying: “No original HP inkjet cartridges are manufactured with Brominated flame retardants. This, of course, includes the inkjet cartridges utilising recycled plastics that are the subject of our recent announcement.”

Anyone wanting to recycle used HP inkjet cartridges can do so for free through HP's recycling programme.