Printer Cartridge Recycling Business

There are billions of pages that are printed every day across the world, and all of then need printer cartridges, either new or recycled. This makes the printer cartridge recycling business hugely attractive and profitable.

There was a time when recycled cartridges sprayed ink unevenly on the paper, and they were not much preferred. Now, the quality of recycled printer cartridges has improved considerably, encouraging more companies and individuals to switch to recycled cartridges. The widening gap between the cost of a new and recycled cartridge has further fuelled the demand, and made this an attractive business.

Business Options

There are three different options available to an individual who wants to start a printer cartridge recycling business. The first is to sell empty cartridges to companies that buy them for $3 to 4 per cartridge. In this case, the individual will have to work out a system by which he visits offices and collects empty cartridges. He can then mail them to the ink-filling companies.

The second option is to set up his ink-filling unit. In this case, he must install an ink-filling unit, and learn how to operate it. He also needs to publicize the setting up of the printer cartridge recycling business.

The third option is to become a franchise of an existing ink-filling company. In this case, he will be provided the business expertise -- both equipment and training -- to run the printer cartridge recycling business.

Investment

There is no investment in Option 1. The individual needs to set up agreements to collect refills from offices and industries. Maybe, he can pay 50 cents or a dollar per empty cartridge. He can then mail them to ink-filling companies once or twice a month, and collect $3 to 4 per cartridge. His expenditure is limited to the purchase of cartridges and travel.

Option 2 will need an investment of around $20,000 to $25,000 in buying equipment and learning the craft. For instance, Ink Solution, which sells franchise rights, charges $22,000 to provide toner vacuum system, how-to-do manuals, start-up inventory of inkjet and toner cartridge, laser and inkjet printers used for testing and training. The franchise can then start his business.

An individual, who wants to set up the business on his own, will also make a similar investment. However, he will have to set up deals with different cartridge manufacturing companies, and undergo training with each one of them. This is a more tedious process, but will surely offer better returns.

Qualifications

The individual certainly needs to be trained in the craft of refilling cartridges. The agencies that are best equipped to train the individual are the equipment sellers, cartridge manufacturers or franchisers. They will charge the individual a small fee. But this training will equip the individual to handle 200-odd makes of toner and inkjet cartridges.

Business Promotion

The individual also needs to invest on promoting the printer cartridge recycling business. For this, he needs to print fliers and handbills and distribute it in offices, industries, hotels, hospitals, schools etc. The handbill must stress the economic and environmental advantages of refilling the inkjet and toner cartridges. Many companies will prefer to hand over used cartridges for recycling than letting them being carted away to landfills.

Financing

The individual certainly needs financing to start printer cartridge recycling business. The funds are not only needed to buy the hardware and software but also for publicity. The installation of equipment is not a problem. The individual can use any one of the spare rooms in his home to set up the equipment. The chances of funding depend upon competition. If there are already too many players in the market then the funding agency will be reluctant. Otherwise, there should be no difficulty. It is a win-win business.