4 ms·

When they send you new ink, they send you an envelope where you can return the old cartridges for free. So there is recycling happening.

znep 4y ago
Or they at least want you to think that.
- boomboomsubban 4y ago
  This is an area where recycling probably happens. The ink costs far less than the cartridge, And it's not too hard to make a refillable cartridge. It's unlikely HP would bother with the envelopes if it wasn't cheaper for them then building new cartridges.
  - nerdbert 4y ago
    If $(perceived PR value of pretending to recycle) - $(envelopes) < $(marginal cost of making cartridges actually recyclable) then you can bet they are going straight in the dumpster.
    - boomboomsubban 4y ago
      This ignores that there are options besides the envelopes. If they were just going to throw them away, they'd do something like team up with Best Buy to have an cartridge recycling bin available. Most of the PR value at a fraction of the cost. Actually sending prepaid envelopes means they're probably recycling them.
flipbrad 4y ago
I assume OP was referring to the bricked printers
- disillusioned 4y ago
  Nothing bricks the printer. The title is misleading. If: A) You have subscribed to HP Instant Ink and B) You stop paying for your subscription The ink you have in your home as part of that subscription will no longer work in your printer. You can use other ink in the printer. The printer is not bricked. It simply disables the revocable license you were paying for to use the ink in the cartridges they shipped you. They sell cartridges that don't have this model. Whether or not the model is dumb or the idea that the ink "stops working" if you stop paying makes one chafe, the printer itself does not magically turn into a paperweight. (And the ink is supposed to be returned to HP.)
  - Tepix 4y ago
    There is zero doubt that some people will throw away their printers and buy new ones. Why? Because it stopped working.
    - iso1631 4y ago
      People already do that, ink is so expensive and printers are such a loss lead that people often just buy a new printer

znep 4y ago

Or they at least want you to think that.

boomboomsubban 4y ago
This is an area where recycling probably happens. The ink costs far less than the cartridge, And it's not too hard to make a refillable cartridge. It's unlikely HP would bother with the envelopes if it wasn't cheaper for them then building new cartridges.
- nerdbert 4y ago
  If $(perceived PR value of pretending to recycle) - $(envelopes) < $(marginal cost of making cartridges actually recyclable) then you can bet they are going straight in the dumpster.
  - boomboomsubban 4y ago
    This ignores that there are options besides the envelopes. If they were just going to throw them away, they'd do something like team up with Best Buy to have an cartridge recycling bin available. Most of the PR value at a fraction of the cost. Actually sending prepaid envelopes means they're probably recycling them.

flipbrad 4y ago

I assume OP was referring to the bricked printers

disillusioned 4y ago
Nothing bricks the printer. The title is misleading. If: A) You have subscribed to HP Instant Ink and B) You stop paying for your subscription The ink you have in your home as part of that subscription will no longer work in your printer. You can use other ink in the printer. The printer is not bricked. It simply disables the revocable license you were paying for to use the ink in the cartridges they shipped you. They sell cartridges that don't have this model. Whether or not the model is dumb or the idea that the ink "stops working" if you stop paying makes one chafe, the printer itself does not magically turn into a paperweight. (And the ink is supposed to be returned to HP.)
- Tepix 4y ago
  There is zero doubt that some people will throw away their printers and buy new ones. Why? Because it stopped working.
  - iso1631 4y ago
    People already do that, ink is so expensive and printers are such a loss lead that people often just buy a new printer