There are basically two types of cartridges:

- Electromechanical (mostly Epson)
- Thermal (mostly HP, Lexmark, Epson and some Canon)

The electromechanical cartridges work by contraction and expansion of small ejectors, through shock, which push the ink at high speed and precision to the paper.

The thermal printing head, also called micro-bubble type, which contains a high temperature electrical resistance, creates air bubbles that push the ink at high speed and precision to the paper. This procedure can reach speeds of 9000 times per second, which requires that the print head to be a piece of sensitive high technology.

1 - If you insist using a cartridge that is low on ink, it will fail to cool its resistance, which will then reach high temperatures, that may alter its effectiveness and length of life (when recycled), or even cause irreversible damage. Therefore, you should stop the impression immediately if your software or printer warns you of a low ink level (or color) and immediately change/refill your cartridge

2 - Avoid removing the cartridges from the printer for more than a few days, for recycling or for any other reasons. Doing this, you can dry the sponge inside the cartridge and then the ink can dry on the ejectors, obstructing them. Conclusion: never leave a cartridge exposed to the air for long periods of time because it may suffer irreversible damage.

3 - I recommend that you immediately recycle the ink cartridge as soon as you get out of ink. This action will extend the life and number of refills of your cartridge.

Depending on your intended purpose you can choose between these printers types:

• Laser
• Ink-jet
• Matrix
• Sublimation

Since the sublimation and dot matrix printers are used for specific purposes, (technical/business), the domestic market is divided between the laser printers, most used in business, and ink jet printers.

Laser printers are preferred by companies because of its great flexibility in terms of paper types, quiet operation and speed, which in other hand raises the price.

The ink-jet printers have become synonymous of color, especially for the domestic market. Almost all the major brands use proprietary technology that leads to different printing results. Printing with "photo quality" has become very important, but when you read "maximum resolution" is not always synonymous with photographic quality.

While choosing for your printer must always bare in mind the resolution, measured in dpi (the higher the number better resolution) and speed of printing measured in ppm (pages per minute). Do not forget to check whether the brand/model is compatible with quality recycled cartridges. Using these will bring you a much lower bill at the end of a while since its price is lower and the quality is the same.

Look for a inkjet printer on eBay by following this link, you can find real bargains! By buying a second hand printer you are saving the environment!

Most companies have modern recycling plants that are able to recycle some types of ink cartridges and toners, following environmental standards and strict quality standards.

For cartridges, the process passes through a washing line that cleans them internally and externally. After that the cartdriges are tested electronically to determine whteres they are in good condition or not. Dispite all this procedures, sometimes its operation, as many cartridges, by being kept in air or handled without care, suffer irreparable damage the print head. Those who pass the test are then sent to the automated filling line, which is filling the ink in amounts determined appropriate. Finally go through the print and new tests are ultimately sealed and properly packaged for referral to the client.

1. All these materials have high environmental risks, so it is necessary to separate them from other waste to reduce any hazard at all.
   
2. Most consumable computer acessories can be recycled and regenerated, including the Ink-jet ink cartridges and the laser cartdriges.
   
3. Recycling of these products is nothing but cleaning and refilling the remaining cartdriges with ink or toner to give them a "second opportunity", so it's far from producing them from scracth. By doing this it maintains all its original quality and effectiveness.
   
4. To make a single ink cartdrige companies waste 5 liters of oil
5. It's cheaper!

I suggest that you check these online stores for recycled and cheap ink cartdriges:

1. 123Inkjets
2. InkSmile
   
3. 4Inkjets