Everything you need to know about recycling ink
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Learn more about recycling ink
How to recycle ink
Ink can be recycled on-site by mixing coloured inks to produce high quality black ink. Coloured inks are of such a high quality, when mixed they produce a richer, darker black tone. Computer software is also available that allow printers to mix leftover ink to create custom colours. Alternatively there are chemical recyclers that may recycle or safely dispose of ink liquid waste. Use the directory on this page to find an ink recycler near you.
Why recycle?
A variety of inks are used in printing processes, some of which contain toxic chemicals and metals. In particular, metallic pigments often contain cadmium, bright colours contain chromium or copper and, less commonly, some inks still contain lead. Some waste ink may also be contaminated with cleaning solvents.
If inks are disposed of through open drains or into landfill as liquid waste, these toxic metals can accumulate in the soil or leach into the groundwater system, impacting human, animal and aquatic ecosystem health. Ink waste creates a disposal cost for the printer, but also represents a less than optimum use of purchased raw materials. By recycling, reusing or refilling inks where possible this can reduce waste management costs, maximise the use of resources and offers savings compared to the cost of purchasing new 'virgin' ink products.
What happens to it?
Whether ink can be reused or recycled is dependent upon the quality of the ink waste that is generated. Waste ink can be classified in into categories: uncontaminated and contaminated.
- Uncontaminated, excess ink - this category includes ink that has not been used in the press and can be easily reused.
- Contaminated - this ink has been used in the press fountain and is commonly contaminated with paper fibers, solvents, or other colors of ink. For these inks to be recycled, they typically must be filtered and reconditioned.
