Remanufactured toner cartridges are cartridges that were rebuilt using new and used components. They are built to the same specifications as new cartridges, but they take parts of old cartridges that would otherwise be thrown away and use them. The vendor who rebuilds them cleans them and removes any defective parts, replacing them with either new components or parts from other recycled cartridges.

Terms you will see when searching for remanufactured or recycled toner cartridges:

1. OEM cartridges, or genuine cartridges, are cartridges made by the Original Equipment Manufacturer, the company that makes the printer they are used with.

2. Remanufactured cartridges are rebuilt, either by the original manufacturer or another, and can contain some new parts as well as used ones.

3. Compatible cartridges are made by a company other than the printer's manufacturer; some of them have all new parts and some are remanufactured.

4. Recycled means the cartridge is being re-used with new ink or toner in it.

5. A refill kit is a kit containing new ink or toner and tools to refill your current cartridge.

6. Bulk ink is also used to refill a current cartridge, but you have to supply your own tools.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase remanufactured inkjet cartridges

Empty inkjet cartridges can be refilled as many as 20 times each before wearing out. They cost less than buying OEM cartridges. Some companies offer incentives to recycle the cartridges when they are empty.

I recommend: Buy remanufactured inkjet cartridges compatible with many brands of printers at inkpal.com, which offers free shipping on large orders and a 6 month guarantee on their products. Use the Store Locator at Cartridge World USA to find out which of their 600 US stores is closest to you. Take your empty cartridges to them and trade for remanufactured ones filled with new ink.

Find a remanufactured toner cartridge for your black and white printer or copier

Recycled toners can be refilled by professionals, or you can refill them yourself by buying a refill kit or bulk ink.

I recommend: Search by the brand and model of your laser printer to find the right remanufactured toner cartridge for your printer at 123refills.net. Toner Cartridge Depot sells "the most popular remanufactured cartridges."

Look for a remanufactured toner cartridge for your color printer

A recycled toner cartridge can contain black or color ink. Toner cartridges generally contain just one color, so color printers use 4 cartridges: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. The colors mix in the machine. Color inkjet cartridges have 3 colors in one cartridge.

I recommend: Find remanufactured color toner cartridges that resist smudging and bleeding at Color Toner Expert. Abcink.com guarantees their toner products will be defect free and ISO 9001 certified. They also offer free ground shipping in the US.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get a postage-paid label from remanufactured toner distributors who recycle used cartridges.