Printing Tip #1 - Save $ Per Page
Most printed materials are in basic black and white, while InkJet Printers are catching up, simple Laser Printers from brands like Samsung and Brother still offer the best cost-per-page value. If you only print in colour a few times a year it may be worthwhile to simply use your local copy center for color-prints.
Printing Tip #2 - Reuse
Printer companies lie, steal from and cheat their customers on a regular basis. Aside from exorbitant replacement ink and toner costs, many printers include software which falsely reports that an ink cartridge is empty - so that you then go to the store and drain your wallet a little earlier.
Remanufactured Ink Cartridges are essentially already-used brand-name ink cartridges that have been replenished with ink. This is a little different from 'compatibles' which are new ink cartridges that are advertised as working with a given printer.
To hear companies like HP tell it, both remanufactured cartridges and compatibles are big trouble - but we don't believe that here. In many cases, remanufactured cartridges work just as well and much more cheaply.
Even our brief experience with compatibles has been positive, although we hesitate to recommend them since quality varies and compatibles are often sourced from countries with poor environmental and human health laws.
Today, some brands are including security 'chips' in their cartridges - intentionally preventing printing from non-brand ink. This has led to small cottage industry in 'jailbreaking' these printers, as well as heavy criticism from consumer groups.
Printer Tip #3 - Recycle
Most ink cartridges can be recycled up to six times and remanufacturing companies are often happy to pay up to $3 per cartridge for your office waste.
Further, large-scale electronics stores such as Best Buy will often use a regional recycling program and accept any e-waste or empty print cartridges you wish to part with. The types of plastic and components in ink cartridges make them especially favourable to reuse and recycling - it's not hard to find a local program if you look for one.
More Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ink_cartridge#Environmental_Impact
http://onthespottoner.com/blog.aspx
