I suppose this post is only going to be interesting to the true compost science nerds, but I found a pretty good document written by the Australian government that indirectly discusses this issue, and includes citations. Some background first: I looked up the MSDS for the toner I use (Brother TN580): http://www.brothertoners.com/TN-550_580.pdf From the MSDS, I learned that the primary chemical component of the toner is styrene acrylate copolymer (84% by weight). After some googling, I found out that this plastic is the primary chemical of concern in toner. It is used as a binder resin (glue). After some more googling, I found an excellent document, written by the Australian government, that specifically discusses the environment impact of the chemical: http://www.nicnas.gov.au/publications/CAR/new/NA/NAFULLR/NA0000FR/NA1FR.pdf It concludes that the chemical is relatively sage from a biological and environmental viewpoint. Section 9 - the toxicological evaluation - essentially says that low levels of exposure should be fine, based on tests done on rats exposed to the chemical. The document also concludes that the chemical does not dissolve easily in water, so it should not be readily absorbed by plants or by humans. I should also add a contrasting viewpoint from: http://sustlife.com/blog/green-living/is-your-washing-up-liquid-toxic.html This chemical is used a lot in dish detergent to give it color. The blogger mentions a correlation between this chemical and cancer, among other things. However, I don't see any support for her position elsewhere, and she doesn't provide any references other than "a recent study". The side effects she mentions (headaches, etc) are related to inhalation of the powder, not digestion of the chemical. Based on this info, I've decided to start composting the shredded paper from my laser printer. I'm convinced that it's safe for the garden. If you're wondering about the other three chemicals in the toner, I've found that most of them are safe too. PMMA is another acrylate, and has very similar properties to styrene acrylate copolymer. Silicon dioxide is relatively harmless when ingested. Carbon black (5-7%) has health issues related to inhalation, but I found no studies related to the ingestion of carbon black. It's used in so many other products, particularly automobile tires, that the levels that end up in your compost are likely to be negligible compared to the amount already present in the air and soil.

Update on the peel: Did a TCA peel at home, 30-35%. Results were awesome, I'm definitely glad I did it. I waited until late in the year when I wouldn't be outdoors as much, and don't step out the door wearing less than spf30. (spf50 during peak hours) Before the peel: you have to know someone who knows this stuff or do a good deal of digging to find this out: a common cause for an uneven at-home peel is that most people don't use acetone to clean the skin beforehand. (Washing your face won't do it.) So, I used acetone on a cottonball and swiped it over my face well, avoiding the eye area. Also, I mixed my TCA solution, measuring carefully. Be sure to dilute with a purified bottled water. During: I swiped the TCA solution over my face with a cotton pad, without 'rubbing' my skin. With a Q-tip, I reapplied the solution precisely onto a particularly dark freckle on my forehead. This process is the most unpleasant. If you've ever had anything pierced, the pain is similar to that - except it's all over your face. You'll notice a frosting effect on the treated skin - frosted like frosted glass. Pain subsided considerably after 3 minutes, and my face just felt 'funny' after 5-6 minutes. Frosted appearance was gone completely after 8-10 minutes. After the peel, I washed my face as gently as possible to remove the acid residue with Cetaphil. I patted my skin mostly dry and applied the contents of a vitamin E capsule onto my face. Over the next two days, I reapplied the vitamin E as needed to keep the skin from drying. After that, it required less upkeep to keep the skin moist. It took about a week for my skin to mostly peel, and it was completely peeled after 10 days. As my skin peeled, most of the photodamage and freckling went with it. There is no evidence of the nearly-black freckle from my forehead. Only one line remains on my face, a brow furrow that I've been working on since I was 12 - and it is so much more shallow... not the constant crease it was before. The 'new' skin was sensitive and a bit pinkish, and coated in SPF. All the time. Now, about two weeks later, I am consistent with the sunscreen and hat-wearing. I can't recommend this enough if you've got the guts to try it at home. Especially for what I spent for it - less than ten bucks! (Well, more if you count the numerous sunscreens I've been through.... I'm sensitive to some brands and have settled on Coppertone Oil Free For Faces.) I must stress the importance of treating your 'new' skin well - sunscreen is not optional!

OKI Electric developed its LED printhead technology for electro-photographic printing for reliable printing in various applications. Laser systems rely on elaborate combinations of rotating mirrors and lenses that must remain in alignment through use. The laser scans from one end of a line to another, then zig-zags down to the next line. LED technology uses a Light Emitting Diode printhead as a light source within the imaging device. Unlike laser systems, the LED printhead is solid-state and has no moving parts. The LED bar pulse-flashes across the entire page width and creates the image on the print drum as it moves down. OKI also has a straight-line paper path that's less susceptible to jams when feeding heavy stock, envelopes or labels. LED technology is the future. We're so sure of this that we guarantee the printhead of every OKI page printer for five full years  by far the longest warranty in the industry! That's the difference, that's a very good printer you have there print quality and reliability and can be used in a work group more then 1 person using it so it is built to last. Did you like the printer when it worked if so fix it and it will probably out last the the ones you listed.. Lets see what others say, I currently use a brother all in one model MFC 7420 and happy with it. Tech Infomation copied from oki web site, found by Googling "led laser"

"If getting consistent and reliable results matter to you more than getting the cheapest price, you will want to look to a name brand compatible instead. Brands typically take ownership of the quality level of the product, often down to the level of specifying what components and toner powder are used for their particular models. They do this of course because they are building and protecting a brand image based on some set of values they offer their customers." It's a good read to start with. Read more: http://www.supermediastore.com/blog/article/oem-toner-vs-compatible-or-generics-can-you-trust-them#ixzz2ian1RlxE