Since starting Lousy Ink, we’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing people from Close The Loop and Planet Ark, who have helped us turn waste printer cartridges into a creative resource. Close The Loop plays a big role into recovering and recycling traditionally difficult to recycle single use products. By building up a strong relationship over the years we’ve been able to recover 1000s of litres of high quality inkjet printer inks from going to waste.
A large portion of the ink we collect today arrives as sealed and unopened high quality inkjet pigment inks, which allows us to easily sort them by CMYK colours and combine them into 100% recycled Lousy Ink.
Planet Ark has also played a huge role into developing the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark collection program, which allows people to easily recycle their empty printer cartridges across Australia. They have recycled close to 50 million printer cartridges since 2003.
How do you make Lousy Ink?
What is the recycled content of Lousy Ink?
Our range of Lousy colour inks are made from 100% recycled content.
For the ink in our Lousy Liners, we allow up to 5% of a non-toxic additive to better control the flow and opacity, which also helps prevent the nibs from drying over time.
Every batch of recycled ink collected is carefully tested and assessed for quality and compatibility with our Lousy Liners and artist inks.
At Lousy It is our mission to use the highest level of recycled and recyclable content as possible within our products and packaging.
How can I refill my Lousy Liner?
Although a DIY (and slightly messy) process, it is possible to refill your Lousy Liners!
On the back of the pen, the end-cap can be removed by using small pliers or carefully with a blade.
Once the inner sponge is removed, add 5-10 drops of Lousy Ink on the nib side of the sponge. Your Liner can now be re-assembled and revived!
Watch our process video here
Unfortunately we can’t guarantee a fully working pen with every refill, due to the slight variances of our recycled ink which may change over time.
We recommend placing our Lousy Liners horizontally for long term storage.
If you are having any issues with your Liners, feel free to reach out for assistance!
We offer a return program at our Lousy Lab, for you to bring in any empty Lousy product to be refilled or recycled.
Visit us at Lousy Lab
28-30 Stephenson St, Cremorne VIC 3121
Thursday 10am-6pm
Friday 10am-6pm
Saturday 10am-5pm
Alternatively, at the end of their use all Lousy Liners can be recycled through the TerraCycle writing instruments campaign.
Simply bring your used pens & markers to a participating public drop-off point or Officeworks store near you.
As for our packaging and ink bottles, these can be recycled through your traditional curb-side recycling.
Please make sure to remove the cap / dropper from all bottles, as these are unable to be recycled via curb-side collection.
Droppers can be recycled via collection boxes at participating Myer stores and Mecca Cosmetics stores across Australia.
All of our own paper and packaging waste is collected over time and re-pulped into Dodgy Paper - which we’ll use for info cards and ink testing experiments.
Where can I
recycle my Lousy products & packaging?
All printer cartridges can be recycled through the Cartridges 4 Planet Ark collection program, via their public drop-off sites or through registered workplace collections. It’s a well-known and trusted program that gives everyone, whether you’re at home or work, access to recycling their printer cartridges via their public drop-off sites or through registered workplace collections.
You can drop off your used or empty laser and inkjet cartridges at all Officeworks stores and participating Australia Post, Cartridge World, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, JB Hi-Fi, Office National and Office Products Depot outlets. Inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges and toner bottles are accepted. This includes cartridges used in printers, photocopiers and fax machines.
We currently have a cartridge collection box in use at our Lousy Lab, details are shown above.
Since 2003 the program has recycled over 49 million cartridges, with zero waste to landfill. This is made possible by the great partnership between Planet Ark, participating manufacturers, retailers and our recycling partner; Close the Loop.
Where can I
recycle my
empty printer cartridges?
If you are not satisfied with our products, or have received damaged / faulty items - you are more than welcome to return your order for a full refund or replacement within 30 days. View our full return policy here
What is your
return policy?
Is Lousy Ink non-toxic?
The ink found in conventional printer cartridges is non-toxic, therefore we consider Lousy Ink to also be non-toxic. The chemicals found in printer cartridge inks are considered to be about as toxic as dish soap. For your safety, please avoid skin contact, inhalation and consuming of Lousy ink. Consider wearing gloves when handling, as Lousy stains very easily and may cause mild irritation. We recommend cleaning any stains or spills with Solvol soap. Please consider the environment when disposing of any leftover ink, and avoid pouring it down the drain. Please allow for adequate ventilation and wear a respirator when using Lousy with an airbrush.
You can find and download a copy of our SDS here
Can I fill my fountain pen or marker with Lousy Ink?
Lousy Ink is a great alternative to drawing ink when filling your empty markers or fountain pens.
We recommend testing our ink to ensure good compatibility, and considered storage before long term usage in your favourite pen.
We have found that mixing your Lousy inks with water can improve the flow when used in fountain and dipping pens
Our inks are sourced from cartridges supplied by leading printing company partners (Brother, Canon, Epson etc.).
Their inks are tried and tested to assure differing industry standard lightfastness ratings.
See this example from Epson
Because of the differences in each batch of Lousy ink, which is made from a mixture of all these different brands - we can't give an exact light-fastness rating.
However, of course, we suggest considered storage for any important artworks, such as keeping them out of direct sunlight and behind protective glass.