40 Under 40 Class of 2009

Karl Tur

Karl Tur

Age 24: Co-owner, Ink & Toner Solutions, LLC

It was the spring of 2007, and Karl Tur wasn’t slacking through his senior year at Bryant University. He was thinking.

“I was beginning to research what I would get into,” said Tur, one of the youngest-ever 40 Under Forty honorees. “I knew I didn’t want a typical job coming out of college. I wanted to go out on my own. And I came across a great opportunity.”

That was Ink & Toner Solutions, a printer-supply shop opened by Serges Lariviere in Amherst the previous year. Tur partnered with Lariviere, and the pair opened a second store in Northampton — and are getting ready to announce a third location soon.

“We supply printer cartridges of all types to households, schools, government offices, and and businesses of all sizes,” Tur said. “We also do printer service and repair.”

But it’s the recycling aspect of the business that has gotten the most … well, ink.

“We recycle old, used cartridges and supply compatible or remanufactured products,” Tur said. “We offer customers a substantial price savings.”

Indeed. For example, an HP color cartridge that might cost $54.99 at Staples or Office Depot costs $20.99 when remanufactured at Ink & Toner Solutions. Considering how much ink companies run through in a year, the savings can really add up — while putting a small dent in the 800 million cartridges being tossed into landfills each year.

The partners also launched Ink Link, an initiative that benefits the Northampton Chamber of Commerce. “Chamber members can take advantage of our discount and learn more about what they can do to create a more sustainable office environment,” Tur said. “At the same time, when chamber members purchase products, we give money back to the chamber as a donation.”

In just six months, the program has raised close to $2,000 for the Northampton chamber, leading to similar partnerships with the Amherst and Quaboag Hills chambers.

Because good ideas get recycled, too.

—Joseph Bednar