Xerox Green World Alliance - Where Used Xerox Toner Cartridges Should End Up!

Xerox not only gave the world a glimpse of the first laser printer, but also invoked socio-environmental responsibility through its recycling program called the Xerox Green World Alliance. Decades after the first laser printer came out, tons and tons of empty toner cartridges have now found its way into landfills; excreting leachage that contaminates underground water and waterways. Moreover, the volume of greenhouses gases pumped into the atmosphere through its production should not be discounted. Laser printers may have helped us accomplish our printing needs, but it has also left a trail of e-garbage that could decompose in 450 years if unattended in dumpsites.

The Xerox Green World Alliance is one such program launched by Xerox that aims to help conserve our rapidly vanishing reserves and likewise limit the influx of environmental pollutants by recycling empty OEM toner cartridges. In the United States alone, over 110 million toner cartridges are disposed annually.If piled vertically, its height and bulk could equal the 110 floors Sears Tower. Consequently, around $15 billion is required to manufacture these cartridges - that is by the way, 10 times the construction cost of the Sears Tower.

How does the Xerox Green World Alliance operate its recycling program? Xerox Corporation inked a partnership with logistics giant UPS. Through the transport facilities of UPS, empty toner cartridges accumulated in UPS pickup points are fetched and ferried to the recycling plants of Xerox Corporation. The process relevant to individual cartridge returns is itemized as follows:

1. Consumers who wish to avail of the Xerox Recycling program can log on to Xerox's website and print pre-paid UPS shipping labels that are uniquely bar-coded (maximum of 15 at a time) for each pack intended for return.
2. Pack the used toner cartridge using the same packaging or carton from which the item came in and affix the shipping label - one label for each package. Each printed label contains a foolproof tracking number and bar code. Use of photocopied or reproduced shipping label is not advised.
3. Hand in your packed item to the UPS representative once your new consumable purchase is delivered. Individual returns can also be dropped off at UPS pick-up points or outlets. Pick up is encouraged by calling1-800-PICK-UPS (742-5877) or transacting online at www.ups.com - indicating the package as an ‘ARS Return Shipment.’

Xerox now makes recycling more convenient to its consumers through in-house recycling services that drastically cuts down office and household printing waste and in the process help save the environment.


We should not always rely on Xerox Corporation for the recycling of unused toner cartridges. Do-it-yourself projects such as refilling empty toner cartridges with compatible toner refill kits is a simple act of recycling that is of tremendous help to global conservation efforts.

The Many Benefits of Toner Cartridge Recycling Programs

Why is there a need to recycle empty toner cartridges? Oil based polymers are used in the manufacture of its plastic casing and recycling can help conserve the finite supply of fossil fuels.

The present worldwide production of petroleum-based plastic is pegged at 100 million tons annually. At this rate, manufacturing plants use around 7 million barrels of petroleum per day to sustain production volume. Petrol consumption represents 8% of global supply and with reserves gradually dwindling, remaining fuel resources could only last us decades.

Recycling is in line with global conservation efforts. A reduction in the volume of toner cartridges disposed would temporarily clear landfills. Consequently, reusing cartridges would result in the reduced consumption of petrol as a cutback in manufacturing volume for new cartridges is imminent. Until a biodegradable polymer casing (made from organic materials) can be developed for toner cartridges; then recycling for the moment will suffice.


Recycling extends the lifespan of printer consumables. Projects involving the recycle of laser printer consumables is not limited to the refill of empty toner cartridges with fresh toner supply. A used and worn out cartridge can be carefully dismantled where worn out components are replaced with new imaging parts while serviceable components are retained. Fresh toner powder is transferred to the toner chamber thereafter prior to reassembly. Remanufactured toner cartridges are typically distributed by third party manufacturers or if you have the technical expertise, you can in fact remanufacture the cartridge yourself and use it for another printing cycle instead of dumping it immediately with neighborhood trash.

Recycling rallies manufacturers and individuals towards a common cause. Printer manufacturers have organized recycling services that allow customers to trade in, donate or return used computers, PC components, printers and related consumables in the case of Hewlett Packard while Xerox encourages the bulk return of used consumables under its Green World Alliance Program. Meanwhile, recycling companies such as LaserCare of Los Angeles have been recognized lately for the gains of its cartridge recovery programs; particularly for the recycling of over 300,000 laser printer toner cartridges. Said volume would have occupied at least 75,000 cubic feet of landfill space.

Recycling creates new jobs. These conservation efforts not only satisfy thousands of laser printer users but likewise create dozens of local manufacturing jobs to a workforce derailed by our ailing economy. This proves further that environment-friendly programs can likewise promote the upkeep of local businesses.

Recycling efforts are now running in high gear with a number of OEM's now stamping toner cartridges with return seals. But for empty OEM toner cartridges that only need a toner refill to work again, use a compatible toner refill kit to replenish its toner supply and remember that a cartridge can sustain three refills and print cycles.

Xerox Phaser 6140 color laser printer: Affordable True Color Printing with an Eco-Friendly Promise!

Now that the new Xerox Phaser 6140 laser printer is out in the market, the majority of consumers can heave a sigh of relief because at last an affordable color laser printer is available. It is a fact that color laser printing is expensive; but with the Xerox Phaser selling for only $399 while its replacement cartridge is retailed for less than $90 each, color printing is no longer confined to big businesses but also to budget-conscious individuals.

What does the Xerox Phaser 6140 bring into color printing?
Xerox through the years has sustained its reputation of providing the best office imaging equipment. That is why operating a Xerox machine in offices or even households can give users an upright feeling of superiority and a class by itself. This new equipment from Xerox delivers the following features:

Expressive colors or printouts that seem to spring out of the box. Printouts produced by the Phaser 6140 come to life with head-turning color quality and powerful color boosts.

Print resolution of up to 600x600x4 dpi (dots per inch). Photo-quality images await the Phaser 6140 user given the printer's vibrant color reproduction capabilities.

Xerox exclusive toner technology. The Phaser 6140 prints documents using Xerox’s Emulsion Aggregate High Gloss (EAHG) toner powder. The EAHG toner comes engineered as uniform-sized and shaped particles to produce superior image details, line characterization and text that are extra sharp and clear.

Color Simulation and Correction. The unit is also equipped with Pantone Color designed solid-color simulations and the dependable Xerox Color Correction Technology to generate precise and true colors respectively over printouts.

True Adobe PostScript. The Phaser 6140 supports this Adobe Imaging Model to further ehance color and graphics printouts.

All of these features are packed into the Xerox Phaser 6140 laser printer. At an affordable cost, the user gets high resolution prints that can always be expected from a Xerox machine.

But wait! The Xerox Phaser 6140 is also an Energy Star rated laser printer having passed the stringent measures on energy use promulgated by USEPA (United States Environment Protection Agency). Moreover, this printing equipment is part of the Xerox Green World Alliance – a global movement organized to encourage printer users to recycle and dispose supplies and consumables properly.

Thus with recycling now forming part of Xerox's commitment to the environment, consumers must also do their share in the recycling process. The most sensible option is to use a compatible toner refill kit on empty Xerox toner cartridges, rather than disposing these consumables nonchalantly to clog dumpsites and contaminate waterways.