If you are new to recycling, in particular to the use of recycled inkjet
cartridges, we think it might be helpful for you to understand how your
cartridges work and to learn more about what you should expect from
your recycled inkjet cartridges.  You already know recycling is good for
the environment and that you can save up to 50% off the price of your
cartridges by recycling, but just how long will your recycled cartridges
last?  To answer this question, let's first look at how they work.

The printhead and circuitry which perform most of the work of the
inkjet printer are contained on the small inkjet cartridge itself.  Today,
there can be anywhere from 48 to 320 nozzles or "jets" on the
printhead located at the bottom of your cartridge.

Each nozzle or jet is smaller in size than a human hair and each is
connected electronically to a heater or resistor which heats and cools
the ink inside the cartridge.  When the ink is heated, a bubble forms.  
When the heat source is removed, the bubble "bursts", sending dots
of ink on the page through the nozzles or jets.  These dots form the
print characters on the page at the rate of up to 6000 drops per
second.  The heating and cooling process is happening at very high
rates of speed too.

It was once believed that the heaters in the cartridge would only last
for one use of the cartridge.  But we've learned that the heaters will
continue to do their work and the jets will continue to fire for more
than one use of the cartridge in most inkjet cartridges.  In fact, the
heaters or resistors on most inkjet cartridges will continue to fire until
they either burn our completely or weaken significantly.  On the
average, that happens from the third to fifth time the cartridge is used.

How many times a cartridge can be recycled varies from cartridge to
cartridge.  From 5 to 10% of most common cartridges can't be
recycled even once.  Some cartridge styles, including most tri-color
cartridges, have higher "unserviceable" rates.  At the same time,
some cartridges can be recycled more than five times.

So what are the signs that your cartridge is getting worn out?  If a jet
in your cartridge is "burned out", you will see horizontal bands or
white streaks in your print.  Print characters may appear incomplete
and fill on graphics will show areas with no ink.

A word of caution.  These white streaks can also be caused by other
problems, so don't assume your cartridge is worn out when you see
them.  Some of the things that can cause the white streaks are
fixable.

Another common problem that is mistaken for a defective cartridge is
the appearance of dramatically lighter than normal print.  This is a
"fixable" problem.  Here are some common fixes than can often
resolve a print problem.

1.  Run a little warm tap water over the printhead.  This can
dissolve any ink which may have dried in the cartridge.  This
is especially helpful if the cartridge has been removed and
exposed to air for any length of time

2.  "Dirty resistors"  or heaters can often be cured by cleaning
the contacts on the cartridge and in the printer carriage.  This
can be done with water or alcohol.  After cleaning, snap the
cartridge in and out a few times to be sure you have a good
connection between the contacts on the cartridge and in the
printer.

3.  "Smeary" print can be caused by a build-up of ink on the
wiper blade found in most HP DeskJet models.  If this is your
problem, clean the wiper blade according to printer manual
instructions

If these tricks don't work, it's time to replace the cartridge.

Inkjet cartridges won't last forever -- we know from successful testing
and use throughout the world that recycled inkjet cartridges work and
they can save you money.

So don't throw those cartridges in the trash -- it's like throwing
money away!!

Inkjet Recycling Guide