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US initiatives on eco-design of imaging equipment
EPEAT (www.epeat.net) is an American programme that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. The system currently covers desktop and laptop computers, thin clients, workstations and computer monitors. Products that meet 23 required environmental performance criteria may be registered in EPEAT by their manufacturers in 40 countries worldwide. Registered products are rated Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on the percentage of 28 optional criteria they meet above the baseline criteria. EPEAT operates an ongoing verification program to assure the credibility of the registry.
EPEAT is now looking at imaging equipment, and possibly one day cartridges will be covered under the scheme too.
Since early 2009, ETIRA, jointly with its sister-organisations UKCRA (UK) and I-ITC (USA), has participated in bi-weekly conference calls on the topic. We also attended the 2-day meeting of EPEAT-delegates in November at the offices of the US Environment Protection Agency EPA in Washington DC.
Remanufacturing industry rep's working in the US-capital in November (l. to r.): Vincent van Dijk (ETIRA), Laura Heywood, (UKCRA), Tricia Judge (I-ITC) and Bill Higgins (Static Control).
October 2009: Eco-design of Imaging Equipment: ETIRA calls on EU to ensure that cartridges can be re-used
Remanufactured cartridges have a 45-60% lower CO2 emission than new cartridges. This commonly known fact is substantiated by many Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) studies:
-LCA study students University of Kalmar, Sweden, 2003. Click here for the study.
-LCA study Xanfeon consultants, UK, December 2008.
Click here for the study.
-LCA study SAPI/University of Modena, Italy, 2008
-Report University of Linkoping, Sweden, 2006 click here (see table on page 451) clearly concludes that regarding toner cartridges, remanufacturing reduces the environmental impact by 60% on average as compared to producing an new cartridge
All studies are available from ETIRA upon request.
The LCA’s mentioned above all show that the largest potential for reducing a printer's environmental footprint lies not in reducing its energy use or paper consumption, but in saving the natural resources (oil, aluminum, timber) by not having to produce a new toner of inkjet cartridge, but remanufacturing it for its (multiple) re-use.
This month, the EU will look at Eco-design requirements of Imaging Equipment. ETIRA calls on the EU to set strict rules for cartridge design which will allow cartridges to be re-used. But cartridge manufacturers use many tricks to make it impossible for cartridges to be re-used: by fitting clever chips that switch off the cartridge after 1st use, by using glue instead of screws to fit the cartridge together, or by refusing to honor the warranty of the printer simply because non-OEM cartridges were used.
All these tools are unnecessary and illegal, and their only objective is to prevent remanufacturers from giving cartridges a second life. The result is more waste, and more CO2 emissions. Want more details ? Contact ETIRA on info@etira.org
September 2009 Rome IF Industry Conference a great succes !
Over 65 delegates from all over Europe met on 27/28 September in the eternal city. Perfectly organised (as always!) by Recycler Publishing & Events, it was the no. 1 networking opportunity for remanufacturers to talk and find new bizz.
Over the 2 days, delegates discussed how to play the market in the current downturn. They heard the latest market trends from global expert Charlie Brewer, and were briefed on the recent patent cases against compatibles in the USA by lawyer Ed O'Connor of The Eclipse Group. Industry leaders Christian Wernhart (Embatex Austria and President of ETIRA) and Horst Edelmeier (OCP Germany) shared their views on quality and on how to make your business thrive. Triton's Colin Davison showed the latest available solutions to remanufacturing problems, while the hot item Managed Prints Solution was explained by Jan de Kesel of TCO Belgium. Philippe Guenin, CEO of the international broker firm LVL of Nantes, briefed delegates on the challenges in the empties' trade. Moderating such a wide number of topics could be done by only one man: Mr David Connett, founder/owner of RPE.
Many thanks to the sponsors of this great event!
New study proves it: Carbon footprint of remanufactured cartridge is 45-60% lower than new cartridge !
February 2009: ETIRA Members met on 1 February in Frankfurt, in the framework of the Paperworld trade show. The Member's Only session was addressed by Dr Michael Gell of Xanfeon (pictured), who presented the results of his recent study measuring the carbon footprint of new cartridges against remanufactured ones. The study confirmed that carbon emissions are up to 45% lower in case of 2-4 cycles, and up to 60% lower in case of additional cycles !
The late afternoon/dinner meeting also provided great informal networking possibilities for Members. New Members from Russia (OPS), Serbia (Tutoric) and Germany were also present.
Just click below on "Read more" for a copy of the study from the UKCRA website.
Do you want to join ETIRA and meet new clients too ? Just send an e-mail to info@etira.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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Strong growth of non-OEM cartridge market volumes
In September 2008 the industry's top-international market research firm Lyra published a report on the global aftermarket in printer supplies. The Report was commissioned by the American trade magazine Recharger, and in 29 pages it discusses the results of a survey among top industry executives over summer 2008.
The results of the survey show that aftermarket firms enjoyed significant growth during the period from 2000 to 2007. In terms of units shipped, worldwide aftermarket share for toner grew from about 20 percent to almost 25 percent, while share for ink jet supplies grew from 12 percent to close to 30 percent. Nevertheless, the aftermarket currently has about a 33 percent share of the monochrome toner market in terms of units shipped, but only about an 8 percent share of the color toner market.
You can order the report from Lyra, please surf to: http://lyra.ecnext.com/coms2/summary_0290-901_ITM
ETIRA launches new Europe-wide product standard
Düsseldorf, 10 April 2008 - ETIRA launched a new Europe-wide product standard for remanufactured toner cartridges called ETIRA Standard Toner b/w 1000. In a special meeting held on 10 April at the international cartridge remanufacturing trade show REMAX in Düsseldorf, the European industry body presented the new standard and its logo to the world.
The new European standard is an industry-first, as it allows for comparing the performance of a remanufactured cartridge to that of the equivalent original cartridge as sold by the printer manufacturer.
An independent research centre will test the remanufactured cartridge for yield, print quality, density, adhesion, etc. against the performance of the original product. If the remanufactured cartridge passes the test, it can carry the new ETIRA product logo (collective mark). This standard provides end-users even more guarantee that remanufactured is as good as original.
ETIRA’ s President Mr Christian Wernhart (Embatex) welcomed the standard: “ Quality comes first in our industry. Here in Europe, most of us already work according to the DIN, STMC or similar standards, giving consumers the confidence that we provide top-quality products. Many studies by independent consumer organisations confirm this every time. The new ETIRA standard builds on this assurance, because it even allows for a comparison to the original product. This will further increase the sales of remanufactured cartridges”.
Upon full completion of the external audit and acceptance of the logo's Terms of Use, the new standard and its logo are available to ETIRA Member firms.
A comparable inkjet and toner colour standard will be elaborated by ETIRA later this year.
Re-use your cartridges: Less expensive and environment-friendly !!
When a printer cartridge has been fully used, it can be remanufactured to be used again several times. This is a cost-effective and environmental-friendly alternative to buying a new cartridge.
On this website you will find all the information you need about the remanufacturing of cartridges.
ETIRA
ETIRA is short for European Toner & Inkjet Remanufacturers Association. ETIRA represents the interests of the European inkjet and toner cartridge remanufacturers and related service providers/compatibles manufacturers, etc. in Europe. Created in 2003, ETIRA members now account for over 40% of industry turnover. Today, ETIRA is the recognized industry body for all topics affecting cartridge remanufacturing. A non-profit organisation in accordance with Belgian law, its statutory seat is Brussels, with a Secretary General's office in Breda, The Netherlands.
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ETIRA booth at Remax trade show promotes ETIRA Member products
April 2009 - ETIRA had a booth (kindly sponsored by Remax) at the 3-day REMAX cartridge remanufacturing industry trade show held 22-24 April 2009 in Düsseldorf.
Given the thousands of visitors at this no. 1 industry event, the booth served to showcase ETIRA and inform visitors from all over the world about remanufactured cartridges, and about the added benefits of trading with an ETIRA Member. We distributed hundreds of info leaflets (available in English and German) to visitors and prospect-members. We had many enquiries about ETIRA and our Code of Conduct logo, and outlined the advantages of buying from an ETIRA member.
End-users call on HP to offer empties for re-use, not just recycling
In a July 2009 article, a cartridge end-user outlines what ETIRA has argued for a long time: the large printer manufacturers would be more environment-friendly if they design their cartridges in such a way that they can be easily re-used. Read all about it here:
http://www.eweekeurope.co.uk/comment/hp-talks-rubbish-on-green-printing--1291
ETIRA at Remax 2009 discusses global standardization
vanP.Hortig.JPG "ETIRA at Remax 2009 discusses global standardization")
April 2009 - Like each year, the ETIRA annual meeting was held on Wednesday 22 April 2009 at the industry’s no. 1 trade show REMAX in Düsseldorf, Germany. After approval of the association’s 2008 finances and 2009 budget, the 50 attendees discussed global standardization issues with expert Mr Peter Hortig (Embatex, pictured).
As ETIRA promotes quality remanufacturing, we welcome standards which allow for fair comparison between OEM and remanufactured. ETIRA has meanwhile informed its Members about latest developments.
Latest hot news......
Annual Report 2009 available for download !
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Want to know everything about the quality of remanufactured cartridges ? Click here !
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For the 4th time in only 2 years, independent German tests confirm top-quality of non-original cartridges !
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May 2007: Dutch consumer test confirms: Refilled as good as original cartridges !
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EU Commission prefers recycled cartridges - Click here (see page 32) !
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Want to join ETIRA ? Click here
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