Empty Cartridge Collection Business – 2010 Outlook by Industry Expert Chris Stoddard
More and more consumers are becoming increasingly aware not only of how they can save money when it comes to using recycled cartridges but also how they can do their part to help the environment. A budding industry when it comes to cartridges is a recycling program that enables the customer to continue to use the same cartridge, getting it filled when needed instead of just replacing it with a new cartridge. As it stands, about 40 percent of cartridges are being tossed out by consumers.
As the trend continues to move towards people trying to save money as well as help with environmental concerns, some industries are looking to help consumers be more aware of using a recycling program for cartridges. Although cartridge recycling is not considered an entire industry right now, it may very well become one in the near future as more people look to save money and do the right thing by the environment.
We asked Christopher J. Stoddard, one of the founders of Environmental Office Solutions, Inc., to share his thoughts on some challenges and opportunities of the empties industry.
Q: Are there enough empty cartridges to justify a whole industry on it?
A: No, there isn’t enough to go around. Historically, our issue as a recycler has always been in finding the product. Even though we have been in this industry for over 15 years and have launched thousands of end user collection programs, we still find ourselves falling short when it comes to finding ALL the items we need ALL the time. In being a commodity item, the valuation on any item is of course skewed towards its availability!
Q: In your opinion, why is there a shortage of empty cartridges?
A: Let’s say hypothetically, 100 cartridges are made by an OEM. Of these, 40 would be sent back using the pre paid return service, 40 are thrown out and 20 are cashed in or sold to companies such as ours. The crux of the matter is there is an awful lot of printer cartridges consumed but the percentage that is actually sold or recycled with companies such as ours is very small.
Q: What are the OEM’s doing to stop the production of remanufactured/compatible cartridges?
A: The OEM’s that have a large stake in overall cartridge sales are consistent in producing cartridges that take a certain level of knowledge and material to remanufacture successfully. That being said, we have been hearing over the past year of a single- use cartridge (not prebate or non prebate). This is a cartridge that somehow would be void after its first use from the OEM. However, to date this has not happened. I think in part the biggest hurdle to remanufacturing cartridges is having the empty to start with. The OEM’s have an active recycling/collection program and despite the fact that there is no compensation for this a large percentage of OEM customers choose this option. In fact there has even been rumors that the OEM’s are strategically targeting larger accounts to ensure the empties are returned.
Q: So, how does 2010 look for the empties business?
A: 2010 is billed to be a good year because of increasing awareness. However, as a recycler it will still prove to be a ongoing battle to collect as many cartridges as possible while expanding our recycling scope.
Q: Do you think it will change? If it does, will it be for the better or the worse?
A: I think the ongoing, increasing focus on our environment and being green can only help us capitalize on our ability to buy and recycle more cartridges.
Q: What is the impact of the industry due to the current worldwide recession?
A: The recession has in fact helped our business in the sense that it has made companies as well as individuals more conscious of the empty cartridge and its value, giving us a chance to create a recycling program or to buy back the cartridge. As for the purchasing of New v/s OEM, I think the recession has helped re-create a level of cost consciousness that is steering more and more consumers towards being cost conscious. All said and done, you cannot beat the price of remanufactured cartridges.
Remanufactured cartridges not only save consumers money but also help do their part by saving the environment. Implementing a cartridge recycling program that enables the consumer to continue to use the cartridge instead of throwing it away is an innovative approach towards helping consumers recycle their cartridges and save money at the same time.
At the start of this new decade, many consumers are beginning to be more cost conscious as well as aware of the impact that empty cartridges have on the environment. Now is the time for new awareness when it comes to using a recycling program that is expected to skyrocket this year.
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Loading ...Posted by PrintCountry on January 5th, 2010
