OK GO's 'Obsession' Video Not So Green After All

In 2017, OK Go released the music video for "Obsession" in front of a synchronized wall of printers. As the band performs, hundreds of printers feed brightly colored sheets into precisely timed patterns.

The result is a striking example of what the creators called "paper mapping": physical printing used like a giant animated display.

How Many Printers Did OK Go Use?

The production used 567 synchronized desktop printers. The printers formed two large walls and produced the video's changing colors, shapes, and backgrounds in time with the music.

The project took more than two years of development and was created with Double A paper and a Japanese production team. The Japan Media Arts Festival describes the work as an exploration of artistic expression through printed backgrounds, performance, camera work, and music.

What Happened to All That Paper?

The original Cash4Toners article questioned the environmental impact of producing so many printed sheets. However, OK Go stated that all paper used for the video was recycled and that the proceeds were donated to Greenpeace. Contemporary coverage from NME reported the same commitment.

The earlier article also estimated that the production may have used close to 6,000 ink cartridges. That figure was a Cash4Toners estimate, not a confirmed total published by OK Go or the production team. We could not find a primary source documenting the exact cartridge count or how the cartridges were handled after filming.

The Environmental Takeaway

It would be inaccurate to say the production ignored its paper waste: the paper was recycled and the project supported Greenpeace. The unanswered question is the number and final disposition of the ink cartridges.

Printer cartridges contain plastics, metals, electronic components, and residual ink or toner. Reusing or recycling them through a manufacturer, retailer, or qualified recycling program keeps useful materials in circulation and reduces avoidable waste.

Our guide to printer cartridge recycling explains the available options for ink and toner cartridges.

Have Unused Toner Cartridges?

Unused, unopened toner cartridges may still have resale value. Cash4Toners buys eligible surplus cartridges from major printer brands and provides free shipping for accepted inventory.

Request a quote for your unused toner cartridges to see what your inventory is worth.