March 12, 2008 9:14 AM PDT

Samsung performs first ever printerectomy

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Scoot over and make room for another member of the green-trend bandwagon; Samsung just threw itself into the mix. Today, it announced its PrintCycle program aimed at businesses looking to get eco-friendly. The basic premise comes from the idea that the quality of a workhorse printer dwindles over time. Most people conjure images of a certain scene from Office Space when they're ready to dispose of their units, but Samsung's offering a better solution: Get a new printer on the vendor's bill.

Here's the plan: three years after your initial purchase date, Samsung will come break into your office in the middle of the night, steal your clunker on the verge of obsolescence and replace it with an up-to-date unit of equal (or most likely lesser) quality...just be sure to crack a window for 'em. Sound good?

OK, that's more of a half-truth. The program actually runs on a trade-in-by-mail-in process, similar to a warranty replacement, if you've ever done one of those. They'll send you a new printer with an RMA and instructions on how to ship your paperweight back to them. At this time, we have no idea what they're planning on doing with the old printers. After only three years, your machine should be in relatively decent condition, right? I'd love to see them partner with Nicholas Negroponte of One Laptop per Child and donate them to children around the world.

The printers that currently fall under the PrintCycle umbrella are:

CLP - 610ND Color Laser Printer
CLP - 660ND Color Laser Printer
ML - 3471ND Monochrome Laser Printer
ML - 2851ND Monochrome Laser Printer
ML - 4551DR Monochrome Laser Printer
CLX - 6210FX Color Multifunction Printer
CLX - 6240FX Color Multifunction Printer

All other models will be subject to Samsung's equally marketable "You Need It, You Buy It" program.*

*not a real program

Justin Yu covers desktop computers, printers, and peripherals for CNET. When he's not scouring eBay for useless ephemera or eating hot dogs for breakfast, he spends his time making fun of Internet culture every morning on The 404 podcast. E-mail Justin.