Xerox’s dual identity: Truth behind toners
June 19, 2024
Czech-based Toner Remanufacturers Association, z.s. reveals the surprising reality of Xerox-branded toner cartridges and their conflicting environmental claims.
An investigation in the Czech Republic has found that consumers can purchase Xerox-branded toner cartridges with an unsettling twist. The market offers toners from both the reputable American Xerox Corporation and the Czech firm ALT X DISTRIBUTION a.s. Both products sport the same Xerox logo, yet their qualities and origins diverge sharply.
The investigation, led by the Czech-based Toner Remanufacturers Association, z.s. (TRA), began with a simple inquiry: are Xerox toner cartridges refurbished or disposable [single use]? This question led to a surprising discovery of two distinct types of Xerox toners sold under the same brand but in different packaging. Intrigued, the investigative team decided to delve deeper, purchasing both versions to unravel the mystery and share their findings.
According to the TRA, Xerox Corporation markets its toners under the brand EverydayTM, boasting eco-friendly packaging, a lifetime warranty, and a commitment to sustainability. The bright red and white packaging claims that these cartridges are recyclable through the Xerox Green World Alliance programme.
However, upon closer inspection by the TRA, the cartridges revealed a different story. Contrary to the green promises, these products are disposable and non-remanufacturable, often made in China. The plastics used lack proper marking, making them difficult to recycle under European legislation and raising serious concerns about Xerox’s environmental claims.
On the other hand, the TRA advises that ALT X DISTRIBUTION a.s. offers toners under the Xerox brand but with distinct differences. Marketed as entirely new products, these cartridges are actually refurbished Xerox original cartridges and produced in a facility employing workers with reduced working capacity. The cartridges are packaged in inflatable airbags for protection.
The TRA believe that the inconsistencies in packaging and misleading new-product claims mar their eco-friendly appeal. The airbags, often unmarked, hinder recycling efforts, while some cartridges showed signs of damage due to inadequate protective measures.
The TRA suggests that this dual identity of Xerox toners could leave consumers in a quandary. Despite their green claims, the official Xerox products contribute to environmental degradation, ending up as non-recyclable waste. In contrast, ALT X DISTRIBUTION’s refurbished cartridges align more with the principles of a circular economy, yet they appear to be falsely advertised as new.
The TRA investigation highlighted a stark contradiction in Xerox’s global philosophy. While the company prides itself on social responsibility, the reality of its products tells a different tale. The environmental assurances fall flat, exposing the greenwashing tactics employed to lure eco-conscious customers.
The TRA suggests that consumers are caught between buying products that fail to meet advertised standards and the use of identical branding by both manufacturers, leaving buyers unsure of what they are getting.
We have contacted Xerox for a comment.
Our take on this: It’s a story that is all too familiar and requires greater transparency and accountability in the toner cartridge market.
Categories : World Focus
Tags : Cartridges Greenwashing Remanufacturing Sustainability Toner Remanufacturers Association Toners Xerox
