A printer is a machine that creates readable representations of graphics and text on paper or equally similar media. Two common types of printers are the black and white printers and color inkjet printers. The printer life cycle starts when various raw materials are extracted to manufacture the device. The hardware of the instrument and its cartridges involve both physical and chemical processes whereby the cartridges require some micro-engineering and plastic mixing. Material extraction has both positive and negative impact to the government. For instance, the governments of printer manufacturing countries are much aware of effects caused by the domestic printer manufacturing industries; foreign exchange generated from sale of the printers, a positive impact; global warming, a critical consequence of the production process, a negative impact to the government.
Governments spent taxpayer’s money to import raw materials such as coal, steel, and chemicals. In printer life cycle, steel, coal, plastic and other materials are used. The ink cartridges with a container and a print head have steel construction. Manufacturing of steel involves the use of coal to melt the ore. Coal, a fossil fuel produces carbon (IV) oxide, a greenhouse gas, a negative impact of the life cycle. Governments in these countries are working to control the amount of coal that is used to melt the extracted materials for the manufacture of printers. Registered Printer manufacturing industries contribute to the government’s plan to establish a carbon-free source of energy (Niemann, 2009).
Critical comment
The topic about printer life cycle is paramount as it enables researchers to appreciate the positive and negative sides of the printer production. The governmental impact of material extraction in the printing life cycle remains a subject of regulation. Strict rules must be set to ensure that the production, use, and disposal of the extracted raw materials meet the requirements of the law.
References
Niemann, J. (2009). Design of sustainable product life cycles. Berlin: Springer.