How to Recycle and Refill Kodak Printer Ink Cartridges

Refilling and recycling the ink cartridges for your Kodak printer can save you money and reduce waste. Kodak cartridges for any printer are very similar, whether they contain black or colored ink. If you can obtain replacement ink and a syringe-style bottle (any store-bought ink replacement kit should have all of this), you can easily refill an empty cartridge and thus recycle it like new. You may not need to get new cartridges for a very long time.

Things You'll Need

• Replacement ink
• Syringe bottle
• Drill
• Knife
• Papers/rags
• Tape

Instructions

Black Cartridges

1. Make sure you have plenty of space to work with, especially to protect from ink spills. Use a table or other surface you wouldn't mind getting spills on, and cover it with something that will absorb ink--like paper towels, newspaper or old rags.

2. Look for a spot on the top end of the cartridge where the letter "K" is printed. This should be approximately 1/3 of the distance from the edge. Drill a small hole around this area with a drill. Make sure the hole is big enough for the needle of your syringe bottle to fit through.

3. Fill the syringe about half full with fresh black ink. You should use about 10 to 15ml. You may need to poke a hole in the tip of the needle if the syringe is new.

4. Insert the needle into the cartridge through the hole, getting it near the bottom. This may take a small bit of effort, as there is a sponge within the cartridge. Slowly inject the replacement ink into the cartridge, sending the ink as deep as possible.

Color Cartridges

1. Remove the lid from the color cartridge. Insert a sharp knife at the spot where the black and colored plastic meet, to lift off the lid. You should see three holes after removing the lid.

2. Dip a pin, needle or toothpick into a hole to see which color is contained in that chamber. It will either be yellow, magenta (red) or cyan (blue). Use a different pin for each hole.

3. Draw about 5ml of one color ink into the syringe bottle. Place the needle fully in the correct hole and inject the ink.

4. Wash and dry the syringe completely before refilling another chamber with its color. Or use another syringe bottle if you have one.

5. Replace the lid on the cartridge after it has been completely refilled and tape it shut.

Tips & Warnings

• Leaving the cartridge standing overnight before replacing it in the printer will help the ink settle within the cartridge. Resealing any holes you drilled is not necessary, unless you need to transport the cartridge anywhere. If you don't wish to or cannot refill the cartridge, take it back to the store where you purchased it. They may be able to recycle the cartridge.