Credit to everyone who is trying to recycle their ink cartridges, but I still have concerns about these printers and their consumables. Ink jet printers are just plain hard on the budget and the environment, and the cartridges can't be refilled indefinitely, many only once and very few more than two or three times. Many applications don't really need an ink jet, I see lots of these printers being used in places where a laser or dot matrix would be much better suited to the job. Often people buy them because the initial printer cost is very low, frequently because it's heavily subsided by the expensive cartridges, sometimes the printer is sold for less than a full set of cartridges. However, when you consider the price of ink and special paper, it's multiple times cheaper to take your digital photographs or images to a shop and have them use their state of the art printer worth thousands to print them for you. No need to clutter up your house with another printer, no need to change cartridges or anything. Best of all it's not more work, you can either go out to the store to buy cartridges or you can go to the store to have your pictures printed. The only major difference is price and quality, both of which are better. Some places do it mail order or over the internet now, so you could have your prints sent to you. Of course some people do need a colour printer at home or in their office, there are genuine needs, but then it's fair to point out that the price of colour laser printers has dropped a lot now, and they're much better suited to high volume applications, but also don't dry up if not used for a while. They also work out much cheaper in the long term. Anyone who can justify their need for a high quality colour printer, for example a high volume of prints being made, can probably justify the initial expense of a colour laser as it will save them so much money in the long term.

sjerin: Out of curiosity, why exactly don't you want cartridges going to third-world countries? I tried googling, but the only thing I found was to make sure that you recycle cartridges so that they don't get dumped in third-world countries as technological waste. If your cartridges do find their way over there, it sounds as if they would help provide work and income for otherwise struggling people. Nevertheless, you might want to look into your local freecycle chapter. Someone might be interested in buying your used cartridges for refilling. Long shot, but worth a try.

it doesn't look like anyone is taking you up on your generous offer. I have a color laser printer so no more ink. Maybe you can donate them to a school near you, and there's always freecycle, or barter for it on Craigslist.

I had a black ink cartridge refilled by Walgreen some time ago and it's performing like a new one. Not sure if it will last as long, but if so, I'll be a return customer. -J