The legend of the printer supplies company handing out a free inkjet with every new ink cartridge purchased may be anecdotal, but many people can identify with the message.
Nobody likes buying ink cartridges, but with a bit of planning, their replacement costs can be managed and reduced.Alternatives such as generic ink cartridges, re-processed or re-filled units will cost significantly less than branded units.By sourcing these ink cartridges from a reliable supplier, quality can be assured. 
Bulk buying is another alternative.There is an initial cost consideration, but the unit price of cartridges is often cheaper in bulk, and plus there is a time benefit too.The convenience of having additional ink cartridges on hand is an added benefit !
And if green issues are close to your heart, by selecting your printer cartridge supplier carefully, you can make a real difference to the environment - at no cost and with no extra effort ! 
Earthink is a web-based supplier of printer consumables and ink cartridges, Australian-owned and managed, which delivers countrywide and best of all, contributes part proceeds of all sales towards the 'greening' of Australia.  Literally.  A portion of all sales of its over 2000 products goes to Carbon Neutral, a non-profit organisation that plants native trees in Australia which help offset carbon emissions. 
We all should be taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint, which is the measure of the impact that our activities have on the environment, particualrly climate change.A good place to begin is to evaluate where we purchase our ink cartridges from.
On the subject of change, not everyone is willing to consider generic printer cartridges.  In the majority of cases, generic or compatible cartridges are just as good as those from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) – they just don’t carry the brand name.
There is also a cost saving attached to remanufactured printer cartridges over brand name originals.  These are ink cartridges that have been re-built using recycled parts.During this process, the units are taken apart and cleaned, all parts checked and new parts inserted where necessary, then reassembled and filled with new ink.These can reduce the cost of ink cartridges by up to half.It is worth having the actual cartridge with you when placing an order to ensure you have the right make and model of the unit. 
Printer cartridges never dry up when it's convenient - it is usually after hours and during the printing of an urgent document.Ordering in bulk from an online cartridge supplier is one solution, but how does one check their credentials?
Online suppliers are generally able to operate with lower overheads than traditional 'brick and mortar' suppliers, so their products are often discounted.  However, it’s important to check the basics, says Steve Nash. from Earthink.Only buy ink cartridges from a reputable supplier which offers good product assurance with a returns or exchange policy.Look for genuine customer testimonials on the website and double check delivery times.Telephone the company before making any decision so that they can answer any queries personally.
It is also important to ensure that the online ink cartridge supplier has the appropriate security features to protect confidential information.
Printer cartridges can break the bank.But by changing your purchasing habits, you could save a small fortune.Choose a reputable online supplier of printer ink cartridges, consider bulk buying and cheaper compatible alternatives and go green.