The Truth About Free Inkjet Cartridge Recycling

by: Niall Roche



In a recent stand-up routine, comedian George Carlin suggests that maybe man’s reason for existence is because the Earth wants plastic.

The comedy team, Penn & Teller, assert in their cable show “Bulls**t” (bullpucky?) that recycling isn’t really all that useful and maybe not necessary.

Whether the Earth wants plastic or not, recycling of inkjet cartridges is useful in many different ways. However, before you choose where to recycle your inkjet cartridge, do a little research to make your recycling efforts effective. Recycling won’t work if we don’t close the loop. Many charitable institutions around the world have initiated ink cartridge recycling programs, which fund hospitals, school activities and other social concerns. This type of funding cuts costs in many ways from tax breaks for charitable donations to lowering the price that we have to pay for the services the funded organizations provide. In addition, remanufactured compatible inkjet cartridges are usually a fraction of the cost of brand name inkjet refills.

Several inkjet printer manufacturers also maintain recycling programs. However, your recycled ink cartridge doesn’t always make it around the loop.

Epson, in cooperation with Funding Factory, recently launched a free recycling program for its customers. Schools and businesses can get points for collecting and remitting empty cartridges to Epson.

However, the cartridges are not remanufactured or refilled. They are incinerated. To be fair, mention must be made that the incineration is at an environmentally friendly waste-to-energy plant; however, it’s easy to see that Epson is the big winner in this recycling effort. Their recycling plan takes cartridges out of the hands of remanufacturing plants that can offer less expensive remanufactured compatible cartridges to the consumer.

Hewlett Packard also has a free recycling program and they proudly announce that more than 1.8 million HP inkjet cartridges were recycled in 2003. Unfortunately, for the consumer, plastics and metal from the HP cartridges are also disassembled and made into new products. Other components are “used to generate energy or are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.”

Canon offers its customers several options for recycling toner cartridges, including a single return option, an up-to-eight multiple return option, and a bulk return option. Whichever you choose, a shipping label can be downloaded directly from their website. Return shipping via UPS is pre-paid by the company. It appears from many recycling and other eco-friendly programs displayed on their website, that Canon is a leader in environmental stewardship, however to date they have no recycling program in place for inkjet cartridges.

Lexmark’s recycling program is 100% free, as are the other printer manufacturer recycling programs. Customers request a kit using an online order form. Lexmark pays the postage both ways. However, there is one major difference between Lexmark’s program and the programs of the other print giants. Lexmark works with Planet Ark and Close the Loop in Australia to ensure every collected cartridge is remanufactured or recycled. In addition, they have similar recycling programs in Latin American and South Africa. In Europe, every purchase of a Lexmark high-volume cartridge comes with a postage-paid recycling bag included. Now that’s closing the circle!

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Do We Take The Internet For Granted?

by: Jesse S. Somer

One small change made a huge impact in a day in the life of Zardinia Zaffas.

I can see you right now. You’re sitting at your desk staring into the computer screen, the Internet is connected and the information is flowing like a river. If you are at work, you are randomly checking email, News sites and interesting topics in between your necessary tasks. There’s a woman like you out there, her name is Zardinia Zaffas and this is an interesting tale about a recent day in the life of her world.

Monday morning was like any other to Zardinia: waking up to the sound of 60’s music on her clock radio, breakfast of the usual oatmeal with maple syrup, grapefruit with a little brown sugar, peppermint tea and of course her favorite food-the sacred Pink Lady apple. This is followed by 20 minutes of yoga and a nice hot shower, then jump in the car and down the highway to her job as a software programmer.

However when Zardinia walked into the office on this particular Monday she could sense something was wrong. It was like an anxious buzzing cloud of confusion was raining weirdness in the air. As she sat down her supervisor walked up and gave her the news. The company’s Internet connection was temporarily ‘out of order’ and would be fixed at an indeterminate time. Well, life sure is unpredictable.

After logging in she realized she no longer had her usual access to the daily News information. Deciding to go down to the lobby where the newspapers were sold she took a ride down the elevator and grabbed a copy. Back at her desk as she perused through the International section she heard the sound of a throat being cleared. Looking up over the paper she saw the face of her supervisor once again, although this time his demeanor had gone through an obvious transformation.

“We don’t pay our staff to read newspapers here Miss Zaffas. If you want to read the Newspaper please do it on your own time at lunch or at home.” he said obviously agitated.

Zardinia’s face contorted with obvious surprise, “I’m sorry Mr. Stevenson.” A red sunset spread across her cheeks. “I’ll get back to work sir.”

Back at her desk after doing a few jobs Zardinia realized that she needed to make a few emails to her friends about her party on the weekend, but of course this was no longer possible as the Internet was down. After making a few calls she got onto her good friend Tommy Vasquez. After one of his patented jokes directed at her about the lack of romance in a single person’s lifestyle, she unfortunately didn’t realize how loud she had been laughing. Again a looming presence of towering shadow blocked out the light in front of her.

“Oh man.” She mumbled to herself. Another thought swam slowly through her mind, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this guy so many times in one day.”

“Miss Zaffas, I’m sure that is not a personal call. Is it?” Mr. Stevenson was starting to resemble a hydroponically grown candy apple red tomato.

“I’ve got to go Tommy.” Hanging up the phone quickly Zardinia looked down sheepishly, but then suddenly stood up and looked Stevenson directly in the eye. This silenced the man and she went back to work at her computer as Stevenson walked away shaking his head in bewilderment. After working for a while she realized how much she missed searching the Web for all the random interesting thoughts that passed through her mind everyday.

“Not having the Net really sucks. It’s like I’m addicted or something. Or is it that I just can’t get away with murder anymore.” She whispered out loud.

Zardinia could be addicted to the Internet, a lot of people are; most of the good things in life have people who just can’t have enough of them. But I think in Zardinia’s case it’s more the fact that she’s gotten used to the hidden freedoms lying in the Web. It is often the case that we only realize how important and useful something is when we no longer have it. Maybe we need to have more appreciation and gratitude for this new tool that so many of us use without even thinking.

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Anti Trackback and Comment Spam Methods

by: Bobby Masteria

What is spam ?

Spam is text or URL, in one or several exemplars, neither being waited nor wished, not having, neither directly nor from its shipper, no relationship neither with the recipient nor with a possible

resource related to the recipient.

How does spam appears in blogs ?

Through the comments’ body and commentator’s URL.Through trackbacks’ excerpt and permalink’s URL

What are the anti-spam methods?

Authentication by connectionCAPTCHABlack ListBayesian Filter

Other methods to minimize spam :

Time Interval between submissions / Number of submissions per hour.DDD.Secure Form Mode : force page and submission to be manual.Rank Denial : Directs hyperlinks an intermediary server.Autoclose after N days: entry stops accepting comments or trackbacks.

Which data are analyzed by these methods ?

Active methods do analyze the shipper to check if it’s:a spamer by coparing its IP address with blacklisted ones. authorized by authenticationa human by CAPTCHAPassive methods do analyze : comment’s data:nicknameeMail addressURLmessagetrackback’s data (concerning the shipping blog):blog’s nameentry’s titleentry’s excerptpermalink’s URL

What are the limits to these methods ?

Cross use of several of these methods allows excellent results concerning comments, but weak results concerning trackbakcs.

Difference between comments and trackbacks is that comments are sent from the recipient’s blog, which allosw all above methods to be used, whereas trackbacks are sent from the shipping blog (this avoids the use and need of 2 interfaces).

• Consequently it’s not possible to use CAPTCHA, authentication and Secure Form Mode methods with trackbacks.
• Another big problem, when all the trackback’s data are unknown, especially the IP address, it is quite impossible to avoid spam, mainly because the blacklist and the bayesian filter are becoming inefficient.
• Last inconvenient, trackback autodiscovery is usefull for bookmarklets but also to spamers to who it gives the trackback URL.

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How to Create Trust & Confidence in Your Clients! 4 Tips To Success!

by: Anthony Jewell


Whether you are selling a $60,000 BMW on your site or a $6.00 hosting package the person buying either product will have to first build confidence in you and learn to trust your company. This is because no matter the amount of money, throwing it away is never an option, so we want to make sure we are getting what we paid for. This is where trust comes into play as what I feel in my gut is usually the only way I know if I can trust you right? Well yes, but you can make it a little easier on all of your clients.

Once a possible client comes to your website, whether they know it or not they are judging your company to see if it can be trusted. It doesn't matter if you are an computer store, online fruit stand or candy shop. We need to know that our money is being put in good hands and that we will get exactly what we are after. So you might ask "How can I create confidence in my customers?". While this can be complex at times and you are not going to win everyone over, there are some things that you can do. Here are some tips that will help you out.

1. The first tip is to offer an faq section on your website. This will allow users to address any concerns they might have and see what problems might be faced when using your product(or better yet what solutions you offer to help them).

2. The next tip is to offer testimonials so that potential customers can see that others have used your product and that it has worked for them. It also shows that people were happy with your service and instills belief in them.

3. Another tip is to offer online support and make sure someone is there for them. Whether it be support via online chat, forum or email, make sure someone is there to help them. This will make them feel that you care and that someone is truly there to help them out.

4. Now the next tip is maybe the most important. To all of your customers offer a money back guarantee. Whether it be 7 days, 14 days or 30 days, let them know that they won't be stuck with something they don't like. This may not be possible for every business such as a fruit stand but, if you can offer it you should. It will give them a free will to try you out.

Finally make sure they know that you are willing to go the extra mile for them. Show them even before they purchase anything from you that they are important. Talk to them and calm their fears so that they can begin to trust you. If you offer great help before they purchase from you then they will believe you will offer even greater help after they go with your company!

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Faxless Payday Loans: An Overview

by: John Williams


Applying for a “No Fax Payday Loan” is a very viable option to consider when you need money in a hurry. This convenient service can really help out during an unexpected circumstance that cannot wait until your next pay check.

So what is a No Fax Payday Loan? Basically it is a cash advance loan. The purpose is to help you when an emergency strikes or when you find you need to stretch your paycheck just a bit more. The “No Fax” means no documentation is required to get the loan.

When online Cash Advance Companies began popping up about 5 years ago, you had to fax in a myriad of documents in order to get approved for a loan. Consequently, people preferred going to the local Payday Loan store due to less hassles and quicker turn around.

But as with everything on the Internet, all you have to do is blink your eyes and things change. Such is the case with online Cash Advance Lenders; with improved methods of verifying accounts and employment the dreaded faxing was eliminated. Hence the No Fax Payday Loan was born, making online processing the easiest and best way to get a cash advance.

What are the advantages of a No Fax Payday Loan?

1. Convenient – An easy online application process.
2. Fast – In most case the approval is in less than 30 minutes and the money is deposited into your account the next business day.
3. No Faxing – you do not send any documents to anyone.
4. Peace of Mind – gives you a sense of security knowing you can get a cash advance loan when needed.

When searching for a cash advance lender, be sure to read all requirements and charges. You want to go over all the “fine print” details because each company charges different rates and fees. Some will want direct deposit of the loan and direct payment withdrawal access to your bank account. If you are not comfortable with this, you will need to choose a No Fax Payday Lender which does not ask for automatic debiting.

Also make sure you know exactly how much you will be charged for the loan. Just like a car loan or other financing, you want to get the best possible rate you can. Cash advance companies all charge different fees and percentages for loaning money, so look around at several online marketers to get an idea of the variations in rates.

The following is a check list to use when searching for a No Fax Payday Loan lender:

1. Age of the Company;
2. Rates and Fees (including late charges);
3. Any Affiliations with Online Business Associations;
4. How they expect repayment;
5. Processing Time;
6. Do they run a credit check every time;
7. Research at least 5 or more cash advance loan companies.

You need to be mindful that a No Fax Payday Loan is not recommended as a resolution to bill paying problems. If you are behind in payments, this may not be the solution for you. Proper management of your finances and possible debt consolidation may be your best answer.

READ MORE - Faxless Payday Loans: An Overview

Motivation, Quality and Individual in Third Wave Companies

by: Arvind Kumar

Second-wave companies are in the business of getting bigger. Size is their religion. Third-wave companies are more interested in finding a better way.

This leads to a primary third-wave goal: to make yourself and your own products obsolete. No one should be more competent at that than you. Our Macintosh replaced the Lisa; Apple IIgs was designed to replace the earlier Apple IIs. What we do is find ways to give people a growth path – upgrade – to the next product, to the future, not abandon customers who have bought the now-obsolete product. The way we renew ourselves is to supply our customers with meaningful differences. In second-wave companies, the product objective is generally meant to give customers better sameness – an improved version of their same old product.

This is a very contrarian’s idea. Second-wave companies’ do everything they can to defend what is already theirs. They will spend more and more money to do so or acquire a company to control the competition.

Second-wave people are motivated by promotion, salary, and bonuses. Third-wave people are motivated by commitment to an ideology, by the chance personally to change the world, the chance to grow as a person. The second-wave company does not offer this as a possibility, not in the promise of lifetime employment and the lure of a pension. As a result, third-wave people are more likely to take risks, to court failure. They are playing according to a different standard – their own, not the company’s. Their attitudes are based on the possible rather than the actual. They must, as a result, be given high rewards for their high risk, especially in stock options.

In this new wave, quality takes on a broader definition. It doesn’t apply only to the product; instead, quality is pervasive throughout every part of the organization. Quality, without compromise, is expected in every function and every department, from finance to sales. It’s everyone’s job. And it’s defined by anyone who wants to compete – not just who is bigger and has more clout.

That’s one of the reasons why so many American companies fell into trouble. They measured quality in terms of what was affordable, rather than insisting upon perfection at the start. The proof of this is in some of the gains traditional corporations have registered in quality since the early 1980s; the increases are shocking not for their improvement but because thy reveal how bad things actually had got.

So what does all this mean? The differences between second- and third-wave companies required vast revolutions in attitude and behavior. These differences are worth nothing during the time of transition we are in currently. The third wave is a model we would do well to being implementing.

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Drivers of SUVs Saving Big Money with Diesel Engines

by: ARA Content


(ARA) - Half of all American vacationers on the road this year are driving gas guzzling SUVs and pickup trucks, according to a new survey on driving habits from research firm MarketFacts. These bigger vehicles burn high amounts of fuel, which not only puts a dent in drivers' wallets, but also increases the country's dependence on foreign oil. Ironically, the MarketFacts study shows that fuel economy is an important issue for SUV and pickup drivers.

According to automotive experts, standard gasoline engines can't efficiently handle the weight of the larger -- and very popular -- SUVs and pickup trucks. There is an alternative, however, for drivers of big vehicles to consider: diesel engines.

Diesel engines like the Power Stroke Diesel in Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups are specifically made to provide better mileage -- 30 percent in most cases -- and have more pulling power than gas engines, which is why they are especially popular among those hauling camping gear or towing boats, RVs and horse trailers.

"People love big trucks for a lot of great reasons, but running a gas engine in them is like trying to heat a hotel with a small home furnace. You're going to burn way too much fuel and you still won't get the power you really need," said Patrick Charbonneau, chief technical officer, Engine Group, International Truck and Engine Corporation. "Diesel engines produce more power than gasoline engines because diesel fuel itself has more energy. And today's diesel engines are electronically controlled to boost performance and fuel efficiency."

However, the study found that despite diesel's known benefits, many Americans are resistant because they still have a negative perception of these engines, recalling the noisy and odorous diesel engines of the '70s. Industry experts dispel these myths saying today's diesel engines are greatly improved -- running quietly and not producing odors or smoke.

Major automakers in the United States have taken an interest in diesel power predominantly because of the success of diesels in Europe. "Over 30 percent of the passenger cars in Europe are now diesel, and the main reason is fuel economy," said Charbonneau. "The Big Three know fuel economy is keenly important here in North America."

Currently in the United States, diesel engines are an option over the standard gasoline engines, adding a few thousand dollars to the cost of a new vehicle. Although buying a diesel engine is a higher monetary investment initially, automakers say diesel engines make up this cost difference within just three years from fuel savings alone. Diesel engines also add greater resale value to pickups and SUVs due to their longevity.

Industry insiders believe that in 20 years, 30 percent of the passenger cars, sport utilities and pickups in America will use diesel engines because of fuel efficiency and near zero emissions capabilities. According to the Department of Energy, if diesels reach even a percent of their potential penetration by 2020, the country could conserve as much as 700,000 barrels of fuel per day -- half the energy used daily by the state of California.

For more information, visit www.GreenDieselTechnology.com.

READ MORE - Drivers of SUVs Saving Big Money with Diesel Engines

The Top 10 Rules of High-Mileage Car Maintenance

by: ARA Content

(ARA) - Americans are keeping their vehicles longer and driving farther than ever before. Today, the average age of vehicles on the road is greater than nine years and more than 68 percent of vehicles have more than 75,000 miles.

As a vehicle's engine ages, its performance decreases and oil starts to break down at a faster rate. Over time, seals begin to deteriorate, gaskets become brittle and oil consumption increases -- all leading to a reduction in engine performance.

Treating your high-mileage vehicle with a little TLC and consistently following the 10 rules for high-mileage vehicle maintenance will help ensure it will go the distance. Using premium motor oil specially formulated for higher-mileage cars -- such as Castrol GTX High Mileage Formulation --will also help a higher-mileage car feel young again.

Rule #1 -- Make sure you change your oil every three months or 3,000 miles -- whichever comes first. No exceptions. Think of your engine as the heart of your car and motor oil as the lifeblood of the engine. One can't function without the other, so stay on top of your oil-change schedule.

Rule #2 -- Find a good mechanic. If you don't do your own maintenance, find a shop staffed by ASE-certified mechanics (that's the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence). A good mechanic will listen to your questions and explain procedures clearly.

Rule #3 -- Have your tire pressure checked at least once a month. It's the best way to prevent unexpected flats. A service station attendant can quickly and easily perform the check. Also make sure to rotate your tires and check their alignment as part of a regular tune-up (or with every other oil change).

Rule #4 -- Pay attention to warning signs. Of course, not every little thump or ping you hear spells disaster. Cars, like people, have their peculiarities, and you are sure to quickly learn what is normal for yours. With a high-mileage vehicle, however, it's best to check out any symptom --- be it a sound, smell or feeling -- that seems the slightest bit abnormal. Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Rule #5 -- Pay attention to outward signs. If your car is leaking fluids, it can mean serious trouble. Keep an eye on the conditions of your driveway or regular parking space for stains or spots that can warn you of possible leaks. Castrol's GTX High Mileage Formulation motor oil contains special conditioners that help protect and maintain seals, thereby helping to reduce leakage -- a common problem in older, higher-mileage engines.

Rule #6 -- Schedule regular tune-ups. Even if your high-mileage car seems fine, that's no guarantee it is. Use tune-ups to ensure your car's major components are running smoothly and that they stay that way. Your oil should be changed, tires checked and rotated if necessary, belts checked and replaced, brake lines inspected, spark plugs and air filter checked and replaced, and fuel injector checked. A good way to top off a tune-up is an overall analysis of your car's engine, and undercar, safety and computer systems.

Rule #7 -- Prepare your car for the seasons. If you live in a sunny climate all year round, you can skip this step. For the rest of us, visit the "Ask the Expert" feature at www.castrolusa.com for a checklist of seasonal maintenance practices for your high-mileage vehicle. Preparing your high-mileage car to defend against the elements will lessen its chances of needing repairs and save you money in the long run.

Rule #8 -- Check your fluids regularly. It's dangerous for your high-mileage car to get dehydrated, so be sure to keep an eye on its vital fluids. Simply lift the hood and perform a quick visual check. Use the dipstick to check the oil level; a quick glance at the coolant reservoir will let you know if you need more cooling fluid.

Rule #9 -- Store it properly. Storing your vehicle in a dry, temperate location when it is not in use will prevent disastrous wear and tear on both its interior and exterior. Garage your car whenever possible to protect its looks.

Rule #10 -- Stay on top of safety features. Nothing is more important than your car's ability to protect both you and your passengers. Air bags, antilock breaks and any other additional safety features that you may have added to your car should be carefully checked on a regular basis (when your car has a tune-up) to ensure that in the event of an accident, they will perform their vital, lifesaving functions.

For more high-mileage vehicle maintenance tips, visit www.castrolusa.com.

READ MORE - The Top 10 Rules of High-Mileage Car Maintenance

Taking the Guesswork Out of Finding a Good Auto Technician

by:ARA Content

(ARA) - Finding a competent auto technician need not be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to the national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With more than 430,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. ASE-certified technicians and parts specialists can be found across the nation at every type of repair facility, from dealerships, service stations and franchises to parts stores, independent garages and even municipal fleets.

Certification Benefits Motorists

ASE certifies the technical competence of individual technicians, not repair facilities. Before taking ASE certification tests, many technicians attend training classes or study on their own to brush up on technical information. By passing difficult, national tests, ASE-certified technicians prove their technical competence to themselves, to their employers and to their customers.

What's more, because the ASE program is primarily voluntary, ASE-certification becomes a self-selecting credential that weeds out those who may be incompetent. And while ASE does not certify repair shops or police individual business practices, it stands to reason that those shop owners and managers who support their service employees' efforts to become technically certified will be concerned about other aspects of their business as well.

How Certification Works

About 100,000 technicians take ASE tests each May and November at more than 700 locations. Technicians who pass at least one exam and fulfill the two-year work experience requirement become ASE-certified. Those who pass a battery of exams and fulfill the experience requirement earn Master Technician status.

The tests, developed by industry experts with oversight from ASE's in-house pros, are administered by ACT, the same group known for its college entrance exams.

There are specialty exams covering all major areas of repair. There are eight tests for auto technicians alone: engine repair, engine performance, electrical/electronic systems, brakes, heating and air conditioning, suspension and steering, manual drive train and axles, and automatic transmissions. (There are also exams for collision repair technicians, damage estimators, parts specialists and others.)

ASE certification is not for life. ASE requires technicians to re-test every five years to keep up with technology and to remain certified. All ASE credentials have expiration dates.

Finding ASE-Certified Technicians

Repair establishments with at least one ASE technician are permitted to display the ASE sign. Each ASE professional is issued personalized credentials listing his or her exact area(s) of certification and appropriate shoulder insignia. Technicians also are issued certificates that employers often post in the customer-service area. And employers often display the blue and white ASE sign as well.

Businesses with a high level of commitment to the ASE program (75 percent of service personnel certified) are entitled to a special "Blue Seal of Excellence" recognition from ASE. These elite facilities are among the best in the nation. More than 1,500 businesses participate in this growing program.

Choosing the Right Technician

As with other professionals, such as physicians, automotive technicians often specialize. So it's wise to ask the shop owner or service manager for a technician who is certified in the appropriate area, for example, brakes, engine repair or air conditioning.

For More Information

For a free brochure with information about the ASE program, send a self-addressed, stamped long envelope to: ASE Consumer Brochure, Dept. ARA-3, 101 Blue Seal Dr., S.E., Suite 101, Leesburg, Va., 20175, or visit www.asecert.org for more information.

READ MORE - Taking the Guesswork Out of Finding a Good Auto Technician