Plastic-Free July? Let’s Talk About the Pollution You Can’t See
, by Planet Green, 2 min reading time
This Plastic Free July, we’re focusing on a form of plastic pollution most people never consider - but that’s hiding in plain sight.
You already know about the importance of ditching plastic bags and water bottles. But what about the ink cartridges sitting in your home or office printer?
Every year, hundreds of millions of ink cartridges are sold - and the vast majority are used once and thrown away. Many are non-recyclable knockoffs, made overseas, with no end-of-life plan and no accountability. Once discarded, these cartridges don’t just sit quietly in landfills. They leach microplastics and toxins into our soil, air, and waterways.
The Hidden Pollution of Disposable Ink
Made primarily from petroleum-based plastics, modern ink cartridges are often fused with metal components and microchips, making them nearly impossible to separate and recycle - especially if they weren’t designed for reuse.
Once they’re tossed:
- Plastic casing breaks down into microplastics that enter the food chain
- Residual ink can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals
- And in many cases, they’re burned abroad, releasing dioxins and toxins into the atmosphere
This is pollution you can’t see - but it’s there. And it’s growing every day.
One Cartridge, Hundreds of Years
Most cartridges take up to 1,000 years to break down. That means every ink cartridge you’ve ever thrown away still exists somewhere - releasing microplastics into the environment with every passing year.
Much like the plastic fibers in clothing or packaging waste, the materials in non-recyclable ink cartridges never truly disappear.
The Power of Remanufacturing
The good news? There’s a solution - and it’s already working.
At Planet Green Recycle, we’ve built our mission around remanufacturing ink cartridges that already exist. Instead of melting down plastic or starting from scratch, we:
- Collect and sanitize used OEM cartridges
- Rebuild and refill them to original performance standards
- Offer them back to the public at a lower price - with free shipping and recycling
This closed-loop system:
- Prevents microplastic pollution
- Reduces the energy and raw materials needed for production
- And creates green jobs in the U.S.
It’s Not Just a Cartridge — It’s a Choice
Just like bringing your own reusable cup or skipping plastic utensils, choosing remanufactured ink is a small act that has a real impact.
It keeps plastic in use, not in landfills. It prevents microplastics from entering your environment. And it sends a message that you care about the invisible pollution others ignore.
Take Action Today
- Recycle your empty cartridges through Planet Green Recycle - free shipping included
- Buy remanufactured ink or OEM surplus - reliable, affordable, and waste-free
- Share the message - your friends, family, and workplace probably may not have heard it yet
Because the choices we make today shape the environment our children will inherit.
>> Start Recycling Your Cartridges
>> Shop Remanufactured Ink at Planet Green Recycle
Other Blog Posts
-
E-Waste’s Forgotten Kid: Why Ink & Toner Cartridges Matter
When people talk about e-waste, the conversation usually centers on big-ticket items: cell phones, laptops, televisions, or kitchen appliances. But one of the most common...
-
How Much is Too Much? The Carbon and Resource Cost of New Cartridges
Most people see a printer cartridge as a small, everyday item. But behind that small piece of plastic is a surprisingly large environmental cost. Every...
-
Cartridges in the Circular Economy: Challenges & Opportunities
The phrase “circular economy” has become a buzzword in sustainability circles, but what does it really mean? In simple terms, it’s about designing products and...
-
From Your Desk to the Return Label: The Rise of Mail-In Cartridge Recycling
For years, recycling ink cartridges often meant relying on office collection bins, retail drop-off points, or corporate programs tied to large accounts. But as more...
