Spent Toner

[<rtgriffin@deq.state.va.us> (R. Thomas Griffin)]

Hi P2 Techsters!  

Is anyone aware of any innovative approaches for reusing spent toner?  
We're working with a company who has an aggressive cartridge recycling system 
and wants to find the most environmentally-friendly method for getting rid of 
the unreusable toner.  It's not hazardous and can be landfilled, and 
currently they are paying to have it blended with fuel for heating.  

They are considering an offer by a NC brick-making company to use the spent 
toner. The brick-maker mixes the spent toner with water to create a slurry 
which is added to the brick solution.  Reportedly, all of the toner 
(polystyrene, iron oxide, and contaminated paper fibers) are baked off in the 
kilning process.  It sounds good to the company since the brick-maker will 
take it.  However, they wonder about the advantage to the brick-maker since 
the toner evidently doesn't add any mass to the bricks.  In addition, there 
are handling difficulties and presumably increased air emission 
considerations.

Does anyone have any further insight on this methodology and its potential 
benefits and drawbacks?  NC folks, could the company be getting any kind of 
subsidy or other financial consideration for taking the spent toner like in 
the case of fly ash?

Thanks,

Tom Griffin
VA DEQ Office of Pollution Prevention
P.O. Box 10009
Richmond, VA  23240-0009
804-698-4545, fax-X4277
email rtgriffin@deq.state.va.us