Toshiba to add recyclable toner technology to more printers

Printing giant Toshiba has confirmed it is keen to expand its recyclable toner technology right across its portfolio in a move it hopes will eradicate the hassle and environmental problems posed by disposing of waste toner.

The company said it plans to introduce its 100 percent toner recycling technology to four more of its mono multi-functional printers (MFPs) next year, taking to 11 the number of models available with the new technology.

"A lot of our customers, particularly in the corporate market where environmental concerns are so prevalent, see it as an important feature and we want to make it standard on all our mono machines over time," said Jamie Mackenzie, Product Manager at Toshiba. "It will take a bit longer to introduce it to colour machines as it needs a different mechanical approach, but ultimately we aim to introduce it there too."

The system works by collecting waste toner that falls off the page and feeding it back into new toner, where an electronic charge process ensures it attaches itself to the new toner so it can be re-used.

Mackenzie said that this process could be undertaken with "no detriment to print quality", and not only removed the need to collect and dispose of the waste toner, but also ensured that toner cartridges last longer as none of the substance is going to waste. "You get a percentage more printing from the same amount of toner," he said.

The toner recycling mechanism is part of a wider strategy at Toshiba to limit the environmental impact of its products, according to Mackenzie, which has also seen it invest heavily in developing document management software solutions that help reduce the need for printing and power-saving mechanisms that enhance its products' energy efficiency.