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Printer Ribbons
Reinked printer ribbons are used ribbons in printer cartridges that are reinked using electromagnetic machinery. Ribbons can be reinked until they reach the end of their useful life and begin to fall apart. Reloaded printer ribbons are new fabric ribbons that are reloaded into reused cartridges when used ribbons run out of ink.
- Recommended Recovered Materials Content Ranges
- Product Specifications
- Product Information
- Additional Links
Recommended Recovered Materials Content Ranges:
Minimum content standards are not appropriate for remanufactured items, such as printer ribbons, because a core part of the item is reused in the new product, even though certain components of a printer ribbon might contain recovered materials.
In lieu of content standards, EPA's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) recommends that procuring agencies adopt one or both of the following approaches:
- Procure printer ribbon reinking or reloading services
- Procure reinked or reloaded printer ribbons
EPA further recommends that procuring agencies establish policies that give priority to reinking or reloading their expended ribbons.
Product Specifications:
The state of Alabama has a specification for reinked ribbons that requires the ribbons to be vacuum cleaned, reinked, and rewound to proper tension. A copy of this specification is available from the RCRA Hotline at 800 424-9346. To obtain a copy, please provide the CPG II Federal Register citation, 62 FR 60982.
Product Information:
Database
of Manufacturers and Suppliers
This database identifies manufacturers and suppliers
of reinked or reloaded printer ribbons.
GSA Advantage!
Remanufactured printer ribbons can be ordered through
the General Services Administration's (GSA's)
New Item Introductory Schedule. In addition, GSA
publishes various supply catalogues, guides, and schedules
for recycled-content products available through the Federal
Supply Service.
Additional Links:
2007
Buy-Recycled Series: Nonpaper Office Products (PDF) (7 pp, 92K, About PDF)
This fact sheet highlights the nonpaper office
products designated in the CPG, including printer ribbons,
and includes case studies, recommended recovered-content
levels, and a list of resources.
Technical
Background Document
This background document includes EPA's product
research on recovered-content printer ribbons as well as a
more detailed overview of the history and regulatory
requirements of the CPG process.
