TOKYO, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- If you are tired of buying reams of paper for your printer, Toshiba's new disappearing ink might make recycling printer paper much simpler.
The company says its new erasable ink can be used in ordinary laser jet printers and in pens. A printed sheet is wiped clean by passing it through an erasing machine. The "decolorable" ink -- tinted blue to help distinguish it from ordinary, non-erasable, ink -- has been named "e-Blue".
NewScientist.com said the ink consists of three chemicals, two of which combine to give the ink its color. The third reverses the process when heat is applied, causing the ink to become transparent. The paper can then be used again for printing.
Toshiba said it developed the process because paper disposal is a pressing environmental issue. In Japan, waste paper accounts for as much as 40 percent of office waste.
The company said it will begin selling its e-Blue printer toner, pens and erasing machines Monday in Japan. Toner and an erasing machine will sell for about $2,700.
The new process will be detailed during the EcoProducts 2003 meeting in Tokyo, Dec. 11-13.
