Semiconductor chip manufacturing is considered to be one of the most environmentally dangerous manufacturing processes for materials which are routinely used by consumers for one-time-use.
Semiconductor chip manufacturing requires exposing workers to highly corrosive hydrochloric acid; metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead; volatile solvents such as methyl chloroform. Tolulene, benzene, acetone, and trichloroethylene; and toxic gases such as arsine. Many of these chemicals are known or probable human carcinogens. When you read how much waste water is produced in order to create these tiny little chips, and think of our own fresh water shortages that we face here in Vermont as well as other parts of the US, it gives you pause to think.
While ConeColor Inks lauds the continuing efforts of semiconductor factories to find ways to reduce exposure to the environment and their workers from toxins, a much faster and greener impact is to lower the dependency on chips. The semiconductor chips on ConeColor refillable inkjet cartridges can be re-used time and time again. While OEM cartridges are not designed for reuse, our proposal for environmentally conscious consumers is to purchase high-quality ConeColor inks in bulk and use refillable cartridges
Resources which can only raise your consciousness about disposing semiconductor chips rather than resetting them.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - Semiconductor Manufacturing
GreenPeace: Cutting Edge Contamination - The Dark Side of the Electronics Industry