Got HP printer? Use soy toner!

This month, soy-based toner under the brand AgriTone is now available in replacement cartridges for select laser printers, according to the Ohio Soybean Council (OSC).

In partnership with Battelle, OSC develop the soy toner technology, which is licensed by Advanced Image Resources, Inc. (AIR). The company manufactures a soy-based resin, called BioRez, which contains 60% biobased products. The resin is said to be a vital component in the production of the toner.

West Point Products is now selling the AgriTone premium replacement toner cartridges, a series of remanufactured laser toner cartridges containing toner that is 35% or more biobased. Last year, the company collected more than 900,000 cartridges through its Empty Core Collection Program and recycled more that 1 million pounds of raw materials from its manufacturing process

The AgriTone product will be available for the following printers:

HP LaserJet 4200 series
HP LaserJet 4300 series
HP LaserJet 4345mfp
HP LaserJet 4250/4350 series

According to Battelle, the 2007 worldwide toner market was $17 billion. If the entire market were to utilize soy-based toner, 302.4 million pounds of soybean oil would be needed. This equates to 26.8 million bushels of soybeans.

Now that's a lot of edamame!