Compatible Cartridges - Avoid! BUT...Remanufactured Cartridges are Great Value and Green: what is the difference?

Keith Moss Chairman UKCRA
email: Keith Moss keithmoss414@btinternet.com

New builds, compatibles and remanufactured cartridges, what is the difference and where do you stand?

Remanufactured cartridges are original cartridges that, once used, have been refilled, repaired and refurbished to provide a second or subsequent life for the product.
Remanufacturers make use of two principles, the Principle of Exhaustion, and the Right to Repair which means we carry out an entirely legal process that to the best of our knowledge do not infringe on any of the rights of the original manufacturer.
As the name suggests new build cartridges, also known as compatible cartridges, are products manufactured from new components, but not by the OEM. These products when placed on the market infringe OEM patents.
You might buy an imitation Rolex on holiday - but would you involve your company in buying and selling them?

Why should this concern you?

1. Compatible cartridges are worse for the environment than originals.

As they are illegally placed on the market, compatible or new build cartridges cannot be legally remanufactured, and are usually made in such a way as to make them of little practical use to a remanufacturer. In addition the methods of manufacture are likely to produce a cartridge with a higher carbon footprint than the original - a double environmental price.

2. Many suppliers (including remanufacturers) do not differentiate new builds from remanufactured cartridges.
You may think you are buying remanufactured products, but you need to confirm the origin and type of all the cartridges you buy. Many compatible cartridges are, sometimes unknowingly, sold as remanufactured.

3. Not all remanufactured cartridges can claim to be eco-friendly.
If you are buying a UK remanufactured cartridge, made with empties sourced in the UK, there is considerable proof to back the claims of significant carbon footprint reduction. However if the product is remanufactured outside the UK, from internationally sourced empties, its carbon footprint may be as bad, or worse than that of the original cartridge.

4. The OEMs are getting litigious.
Canon (who make all of Hewlett Packard's laser cartridges) and Lexmark have already started legal actions against importers and distributors of compatible cartridges in the USA. If Epson's actions against compatible inkjets a few years back are anything to go by, it is simply a matter of time before the same thing happens here.

And if you are buying from a reputable supplier such as economi and UKCRA approved organisations?

We do not sell compatible "new build" products, we supply only UK remanufactured cartridges, from high quality UK remanufacturers - companies we have inspected and vetted to ensure you get the best quality, service and backup.

If you buy from a reputable supplier you will get genuine UK remanufactured products with significant carbon footprint savings - and the backup and service levels that brings - and a good night's sleep.

About Keith Moss

Keith is Chairman of UKCRA with many years in the industry. He fully endorses economi solutions products.

Contact UKCRA

Speak to Laura Heywood laura@kleenstrike.co.uk
For Information contact: info@ukcra.com
Members' Direct Email: members@ukcra.com
First Floor, Cheethams Mill, Park Street, Stalybridge
Cheshire SK15 2BT. Tel: 01706 525050. Fax: 01706 647440