ThINK Refill Says Only 5% Used Cartridges Are Recycled

ThINK Refill, a Canada-based supplier of refilling services for inkjet and laser printer cartridges, revealed that only 5% of the inkjet cartridges sold in Canada and North America are recycled every year.

According to insidehalton.com, ThINK Refill claimed that 60 million-plus inkjet cartridges are sold in Canada and over 700 million across North America every year. However, it’s estimated that a mere 5% are recycled. Also, the firm noted the rest of the used cartridges will end up in landfill with some taking over 1,000 years to decompose. “Did you know it takes about 74ml (2.5 ounces) of oil to make a single inkjet cartridge and 3.3 liters of oil to make just one laser cartridge?” asked the supplier.

Additionally, ThINK Refill asserted that its refilling service can help decrease E-waste impact on environment and save customers as much as 60% over the cost of buying new cartridges. By April 2014, it has diverted over 159,907 laser and inkjet cartridges from going to landfill, which equates to energy savings of over 53,802 liters of oil.