Los Angeles could soon become the first major U.S. city to ban certain single-use printer cartridges. It would join current bans on other single-use plastics like shopping bags and takeaway containers.
To be clear, this wouldn't be a ban on the entire category of printer cartridges. Specifically, the city is looking at ink cartridges that can't be recycled through reuse, remanufacturing, or in take-back programs. Effectively, they are designed to be thrown away once empty.
The printer industry is quite confusing, where even at a store you can find branded cartridges, third-party compatible clones and even counterfeits. In this instance, LA is trying to regulate the end result, not the brands themselves.
More than a year in the making
This week, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved the creation of an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of single-use printer cartridges within city limits.
The ban was first proposed in 2024 alongside suggested plastic bans for items like single-use vapes and bag clips. At the time, councilmember John Lee said that single-use cartridges are a significant contributor to environmental waste.
"Banning aftermarket clone cartridges is a simple way to keep building on our environmental achievements and bring attention to an issue that has gone unaddressed for too long," Lee said in a press release.
According to city documents, cartridges are tough to recycle because of the plastic, metal and chemicals inside. Additionally, the pots are classified as "regulated waste" because they leach toxic substances into the environment.
This means the city's recycling program can't recycle the cartridges, and even if hazardous waste programs take the cartridges, more than 70% end up in landfills.
As a Los Angeles resident, the plastic bag ban is the easiest comparison. Recently, grocery stores like Safeway or Ralphs offered plastic bags as an option but those have completely disappeared since the ban went into effect. It also means that takeout no longer comes in plastic bags instead restaurants are sending takeaway in paper bags.
Food still comes in plastic containers but often those containers are recyclable or reusable with careful washing.
A ban hasn't gone into effect yet though. LA Sanitation is currently recommending that the ordinance prohibit the sale of single-use ink cartridges whether alone or bundled with a printer. If it goes into effect, it will won't start for at least a year.
Ink options
It will be interesting to see how consumers in LA respond to the ban once the city figures it out. Ink and toner are already some of the most expensive purchases you can make over time.
Our collleagues at TechRadar broke down how confusing ink prices can be in 2024 showing how divergent they can be.
But printer manufacturers are shifting as refillable tank printers are becoming more available. These printers remove the need for single-use cartridges and reduce plastic waste. Ink subscriptions can be tricky, but they do offer convenience and built-in recycling.
If you are looking for a new printer, check out our picks for the best all-in-one printers, portable printers or laser printers.
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