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Reflexion brand ink and toner cartridges use a continuous manufacturing process to get the most use with the least environmental impact from each cartridge. A Reflexion cartridge is reused an average of ten times through high-quality remanufacturing. During each cycle, worn or damaged components are replaced with new parts for a cartridge that exceeds OEM specifications. Rather than disposing of used pieces, nearly 100% of the cartridge is recycled in an approved facility for the most environmentally-friendly printing option available.

PE International , leaders in product sustainability assessment and improvement, performed a Life Cycle Assessment study on Reflexion cartridges in November of 2007. The research was conducted using the 4345 cartridge, an ideal model to represent the entire Reflexion product range. The comprehensive study analyses the environmental impact of the complete life cycle of a remanufactured Reflexion cartridge in comparison to similar products.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) examined four different phases for each product, including the manufacturing or remanufacturing stage, packaging, logistics, and the end of life. The following four systems were a part of the research:
  1. Single use cartridge ending its life in a landfill.
  2. Single use cartridge that is used and then recycled.
  3. A remanufactured cartridge that ends its life after one reuse.
  4. The continuous remanufacturing process of Reflexion cartridges.
The study considers the initial manufacturing, or the remanufacturing, process and the packaging materials, the transportation of the product throughout the life cycle, the disposal of packaging, and finally the transportation and effect of the end of life action – either in the landfill or recycling.

Life cycle CO2 Emission for single and remanufacturing

The study found a significant difference in carbon dioxide emissions, as well as effects on global warming, ozone depletion, and other environmental factors.
  • Single use cartridges that end up in a landfill account for about 75% of all non-remanufactured cartridges and have the most detrimental effect on the environment – emitting 8.3kg of CO2 and contributing 9.9kg to global warming.
  • Recycling a single use cartridge at the end of the life cycle cut emissions by nearly half, emitting only 4.6kg of carbon. Unfortunately, very few empty cartridges are recycled correctly.
  • Remanufactured cartridges, remanufactured once, produce just over 4kg of carbon dioxide during manufacturing. After recycling the empty cartridge, only 3.3kg of CO2 affects the global warming potential.
  • Reflexion continuous remanufacturing proves to reduce emissions and environmental impact by nearly 75% compared to single use cartridges disposed in landfills. Reflexion cartridges emit only 2.1kg of carbon dioxide with considerable improvement to global warming potential, ozone depletion, and acidification potential as well.
Summary of Findings

The Reflexion remanufacturing process minimizes the impact manufacturing has on the environment by repeating the stage again and again throughout the life cycle, reusing as many components as possible. Recycling end materials results in a credit to the overall impact and, in the case of the Reflexion product, was a nearly 75% reduction.

Even in comparison to the single use cartridge that is recycled, as well as the one-time remanufactured cartridge, the Reflexion brand was superior in its benefits to the environment. Reflexion cartridges were found to emit 46% less gas than a single use system and 30% less than a remanufactured cartridge.

The Reflexion brand promises to “reuse or recycle any valuable material” within their cartridges. This vow is evident throughout the entire life cycle, including the well-managed logistics and manufacturing loop handled by the company on behalf of their customers.