Smart Cartridge is one of the UKs fastest growing franchise groups. Established in 2001, the Edinburgh-based company now has 60 franchisee-owned outlets throughout the UK and overseas. The annual revenues from stores in five countries now amount to approximately £6m. The company’s core business is ink cartridge refills and laser cartridge remanufacture but over the past five years Smart Cartridge has continually innovated and expanded the product portfolio to include: • Own brand compatible cartridges for major makes of printers. • Fax ribbons & toners • Stationery supplies • Photographic & specialist papers For franchisees the company offers a strong brand image, a proven profitable business model, high quality products and multiple revenue streams. In addition there is industry leading head office support for operational, training, sales and marketing functions. The company has also pioneered the development of Smart Cartridge kiosks and concessions, eye-catching portable filling stations which can be quickly set up in shopping centres and other retail environments. Customers of Smart Cartridge stores enjoy special benefits such a free local collection and delivery and a 100% no-quibble guarantee on all products. Every ink-jet and laser cartridge refilled at the store is fully tested using specially developed equipment to ensure it will work perfectly when the customer installs it in their printer. During 2008, the company plans to continue its expansion in Europe and aims to gain a significant foothold in the Middle Eastern markets. Smart Cartridge is an associate member of the British Franchise Association and is committed to fostering good environmental practices throughout the organisation and the wider community. 

Most UK businesses are not fully prepared for major new waste regulations coming into force on October 31. According to industry watchdogs, the majority of UK companies are not ready for impending legislation, which will require non-hazardous waste to undergo some form of treatment before being landfilled. The Landfill Directive laws are being revamped to force the Government to send less waste to landfill. The idea is – ultimately – to combat the environmental issues surrounding landfill sites. Rotting rubbish in landfill emits explosive gases, polluting liquids and methane emissions – according to Friends of the Earth and other environmental watchdogs – contribute to climate change. Landfill also threatens quality of life for local communities, bringing with them more traffic, noise, odours, smoke, dust, litter and pests. Landfill tax will also be hiked to deter businesses and local authorities from landfilling waste which could be recycled and reused. Lack of preparation could also hit the bank balances of those who continue to send untreated waste to landfill after the October deadline, as they will incur hefty fines. ‘Treatment’ means the waste must have gone through a physical, thermal, chemical or biological process, including sorting. Any treatment must change the characteristics of the waste either to reduce its volume, reduce its hazardous nature, facilitate its handling or enhance its recovery.

The fact that waste sites will no longer accept untreated waste should increase recycling and recovery and reduce potentially polluting emissions from landfills. Bearing all this in mind, it is imperative the business community is fully aware and prepared for the changes before it’s too late. There are, cost-effective ways to minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill, improve the environment AND comply with the new rules. Thats where Smart Cartridge can help. The franchise company, established in Edinburgh in 2001, aims to help the business community slash through the green tape, maintain its environmental credentials – and save cash – when the new landfill legislation takes effect at the end of October. Smart Cartridge in Harrogate has long been aware of the environmental impact of throwing away empty cartridges - they offer a professional remanufacturing and refilling service, recycling empty inkjet and laser cartridges, which are returned to their customers refilled to the original manufacturers specification and carrying a 100% money back guarantee to perform to the identical standards set by the original manufacturer. In addition to this, their customers enjoy a cost saving of up to 60% by refilling their empty cartridges, never before has something so environmentally good, saved people so much money. Tony Hind, who owns and runs two stores in Harrogate, said Smart Cartridge had long been aware of the impact that throwing away empty cartridges has on the environment.

It is estimated that every year 30 million inkjet and laser cartridges are dumped in the UK alone, which is shocking when you consider that the plastic used in a typical laser cartridge is made of engineering grade polymers, which take at least 1000 years to decompose naturally. Thats why were delighted to be able to help people through the introduction of these new regulations, which tie-in nicely with our objective to reduce the impact of waste on landfill. So, instead of clogging up landfill sites by throwing away spent cartridges, have them refilled at your nearest Smart Cartridge outlet AND save up to 60% off the price of a brand new cartridge at the same time. Businesses will soon have a responsibility make sure their waste is dealt in the proper environmental manner or they will be fined in terms of the new legislation. Smart Cartridge can help businesses to fulfil these obligations, by recycling and refilling their printer cartridges for them. Smart Cartridge proactively encourages local businesses, schools, offices, clubs, the healthcare sector and other organisations to recycle their empty cartridges. The firm also offers branded recycling bins, which organisations throughout the country and use to collect empty cartridges.

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