In North America, about one million printer cartridges are thrown out every day.  They end up in landfills where they won’t decompose for 450 years.  That’s according to Alan Greer, owner of Cartridge World in Albany, Ga. and it’s one of his main motivations for opening the franchise eight months ago.

“The idea of an environmentally friendly business was very appealing to me,” Greer explained.  “It also takes less energy to rebuild and refill an ink cartridge than it does to make a new one.”

Cartridge World is an ink and toner refilling retailer and franchisor with more than 1,650 franchised retail locations in 60 countries. The company refills and remanufactures inkjet and toner printer cartridges, offering consumers, businesses and public organizations a more affordable option with a 100 percent satisfaction money-back guarantee.

The right business for the times
With everyone looking to cut costs in this slow economy, Cartridge World is in the right place at the right time.  According to Greer, his franchise has met its targets for revenue and gross profit so far in 2010.

“We sell direct to the small business community, offering both pick up of old cartridges and delivery of refilled cartridges,” Greer explained.  “It’s been very well received.”

In addition to businesses, school systems, government agencies and individual consumers are important markets for Cartridge World.  Greer is working with schools in the area such as Byne Christian School and Sherwood Christian Academy to provide a fundraising program for their senior classes.  Cartridge World pays $1 for every used printer cartridge that students collect and provides special collection containers as well as pick-up service.

What’s next?
Currently, Greer’s store is a finished goods store with hundreds of cartridges on hand.  Used cartridges are sent to a Cartridge World-approved facility to be rebuilt and refilled.  This manufacturing facility and lab are certified as ISO 9001- and ISO 14001-compliant, which means they create zero negative effect on the environment.  In the future, Greer plans to invest in equipment to perform this work onsite.

“It’s a labor-intensive process so there is a lot of training involved.  It’s something I plan to add going forward,” Greer continued.

In the meantime, Greer continues to educate the local market on the quality of his product.  Many who have tried refilling cartridges themselves or through a local drug store have had a bad experience.  Cartridge World follows a much difference process.

“We thoroughly clean the old cartridges, remove any dried ink, reset or replace any microchip, replace all worn or damaged parts, refill with toner or ink that matches the original and then finally test the cartridge.  So the performance of our rebuilt cartridges is the same as new cartridges,” Greer said.  “And we back it up with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee or your money back.”

Cartridge World was started in Australia in 1988 and sold its first franchise in 1997.  The company is now headquartered in Emeryville, Calif. and operates 650 franchise stores in the U.S. and Canada.  More information on Cartridge World is available online at www.cartridgeworld.com.

For more information on Cartridge World in Albany, Ga., call (229) 883-8826.

About Barbara Kieker

Barbara Kieker is a freelance writer who writes on business-related topics for a number of web-based properties. She also provides communications services to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.