According to the study, a cartridge’s carbon footprint can be reduced by up to 60 percent if it is recycled instead of sent to a landfill. The OEM uses the study to recommend consumers make use of its own Cartridge Collection Programme.
An LCA study measures the environmental impact of a product throughout its entire life cycle. A carbon footprint is calculated based on everything from raw materials and production to distribution and life span.
Marty Canning, Lexmark Vice-President and President of Printing Solutions and Services Division, said: “Printer users need to first understand the impact of their current practices on the environment before they can assess what behaviours need to be changed.
“Lexmark has made it a priority to educate its customers on what steps they can take to implement responsible printing practices, such as printing less and recycling, to reduce the negative impact to the environment.”
The company also recommends other solutions for print users to reduce their carbon footprint, including printing on both sides of a page where possible and using the highest yield cartridges.
Lexmark says that it operates a zero waste policy, and 100 percent of its collected cartridges are either reused or recycled.