Get Your Geek On and Help the Planet by Repurposing Old Ink Cartridges

Repurpose seems to be the cool word to use these days. Recycling is good. Reusing is better. But repurposing seems to have a stronger connotation. Then again, that could just be me.

Whatever word you want to use to describe what has been done to these ink cartridges doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, what counts is that something old and presumably useless has been turned into something that has an alternative use. Another purpose. (There goes that word again!)

If you are in the UK, you can always go to StinkyInk.com to register for recycling programs. That’s worth something in itself. Alternatively, there is the option of recycling ink cartridges to help charity.

If, however, you feel like engaging in a bit of artsy activity, you might want to emulate artist Faith Pearson.

A couple of years back, she was given a bunch of old ink cartridges, and her art still manages to amaze today. How can you not, if you see the Enterprise presented in this manner?

Then there’s King Kong, who seems totally content standing atop that tower of ink cartridges.

But if it’s Godzilla that gets you going, you will probably prefer this other piece of work

I wouldn’t want to think what ink cartridges – much less ink – tastes like, but you cannot deny the mind-blowing aspect of Faith Pearson’s work! It’s certainly something worth more than simply throwing away empty ink cartridges on a regular basis.

While there doesn’t seem to be a lot of work revolving around repurposed ink cartridges, who is to say you can’t create your own? I came across a lamp – of all things! – made of old Epson cartridges.

I am not sure I would use this lamp in my dining or living room, but it would be nice for the study or office, wouldn’t it?¹

The lamp also got me thinking about other things you can do with old ink cartridges. If a hanging lamp is possible, why not a lampshade? The material of the cartridge actually gives a nice glow, and if you use warm yellow light, it might look even better.

I’m not a DIY expert though, so I am sure there are many other ideas floating around. What projects can you think of that can make use of your old ink cartridges? If you’re not sending them to a recycling center, might as well do something worthwhile with them!

Via Buzzfeed

1. Courtesy of Lowell And Louise [↩]