Re: [greenyes] HEWLETT-PACKARD

["Doug Koplow" <koplow@no.address>]

Unless there is a demonstrable threat that the reuse of cartridges will damage the printer, their restraint of trade here would seem grounds for class action by remanufacturers and environmental groups.  There would seem to be clear precedant in other areas.  For example, automakers tried to prohibit the use of after-market parts in their vehicles but lost in court.  Oil companies tried to restrict branded gas stations from selling any fuels not provided by the specific company, but lost in court there as well.  

_______________________________
Doug Koplow
Earth Track, Inc.
2067 Massachusetts Avenue - 4th Floor
Cambridge, MA  02140
www.earthtrack.net
Tel:  617/661-4700
Fax: 617/354-0463

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>>> "Jason Brown" <jbrown@no.address> 10/07/04 09:44AM >>>
For those members that were inclined to call or email Epson and Lexmark about their questionable cartridge recycling programs-please add HP to your list.  In an article from Lyra Research (Sept. 04 volume 10, number 9), HP has created what they call regional inkjets and machines.  To summarize, they will be rolling out 12 new engines this fall that are geographically specific in the cartridges they use. To date, Europe is a major source (apx. 65%) of 'empties' coming into the States for remanufacturing due to their progressive laws and fines.  These are channeled through brokers and then sold to rechargers for recycling. Currently, regardless of what continent they are used and discarded, they are compatible with any other market.  HP's new line will use what they term "selectability numbering", and cartridges bought and used in Europe will no longer be compatible with the same machine/engine sold in the U.S., Africa, or Asia. Unless American consumers become aware and active in their recycling of spent cartridges, like our European counterparts have been for years,  the cost of buying empties from brokers will become so costly that remanufacturing will no longer make fiscal sense. Lexmark's prebate program has only caused a mere inconvenience in my industry, however, because HP's market penetration is so deep, and if they continue this new program with laserjet cartridges, this could signify the slow demise of the recycling aftermarket.  
 
Jason Brown
Recycling Purchasing Manager
Laser Life, Inc.
770-261-5919 Direct Line
770-261-5922 Fax Line
Email:  <mailto:jbrown@no.address> jbrown@no.address 
www.laserlife.com <http://www.laserlife.com/> 
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