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An investigation into the benefits of remanufactured toner cartridges

University of British Columbia. Sustainability Office

This report looks at the economic, environmental, and social aspects of the use of remanufactured cartridges within the UBC community by faculty and students. Currently, the vast majority of the campus consumes large amounts of OEM toner cartridges. With this consumption, there is the opportunity to remanufacture the used cartridges and reduce the carbon footprint of the campus as a result. This report will explore the effects of adopting remanufactured cartridges limited strictly to the campus bound by University Boulevard and Marine Drive. The research has been done under the assumption that should the university decide to adopt the use of remanufactured cartridges the overall usage of toners will not increase dramatically as a result. The assumption was also made that the used cartridges will be returned properly to a third-party to be remanufactured. The industry investigated by this report is relatively new and lacks regulation as to what can be certified as a remanufactured cartridge and as a result the report will assume that a remanufactured cartridge is a cartridge that is capable of being used up to the expected lifetime of an equivalent OEM cartridge. Most relevant material is several years old and some figures in regards to the waste and the reduction the carbon footprint are not available due to the industry’s relative youth. Within the industry is a company known as Digitech which will be a stakeholder should the adoption of remanufactured cartridges be undertaken. The research draws upon research papers in regards to the remanufacturing, and manufacturing process of toner cartridges as well as a student survey taking place on the UBC campus. The research suggests that adopting remanufactured cartridges will on reduce the costs of obtaining cartridges from 10%-30% while also reducing the carbon footprint of the toner use on campus by at least 50%. Socially, the report has found that students of UBC are willing to use the remanufactured cartridges and also has exposed the underlying problem of the problem which involves public opinion as well as lack of knowledge. With the results of the research, the adoption of the use of remanufactured cartridges is recommended. It is also recommended that collection bins for used cartridges be implemented around campus and dorms as well as an on campus location to encourage students to purchase the toner cartridges. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”

Text

University of British Columbia. APSC 261; UBC Social Ecological Economic Development Studies (SEEDS) Student Report

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0108787

Applied Science, Faculty of

Unreviewed

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/