No cartridge recycling service where it matters most

I recently contacted HP South Africa to ask where to send my empty HP printer cartridge for recycling. They couldnt help me and referred me to the toll free HP customer care cenre which is a call centre in the US. They can only offer a recycling service in the US. So, is it a case of of only being environmentally conscious if you are forced to do so? Is HP not aware that the world is becoming more aware of the environment and our future? Surely environmental awareness is even more important in a third world country, or is the top priority to take our money until they are forced to offer recycling services, in which case they will probably just throw it in the bin behind the building on our behalf. Another reason to go for a printer with refillable cartridges in future.