Recycling Printer Cartridges

How to turn you black ink green…

FACT: Did you know it takes a gallon of oil to manufacture one inkjet cartridge?

Most of us use computers on a daily basis – and often print material for use at work, school, and home. In 2011, Americans generated 70 million tons of paper[1], most of which was used as a medium for printing. Much of that printing is done by laser and ink jet printers – which use plastic printer cartridges. Across the globe, every year, more than 300 million used, empty printer cartridges enter the waste stream. However, it is easy to reuse and recycle inkjet cartridges.

Recycling laser and ink jet printer cartridges is a great way to reduce both energy and water consumption and the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills (which does not bio-degrade).

The process for recycling printer cartridges is simple. Cartridges are disassembled and cleaned, and any necessary replacement parts are added. The cartridge is filled with high-quality toner or ink, and they are tested and packaged for redistribution. Most cartridges can be recycled up to six times, and contain high-quality components that give excellent printing results. There is also cost-savings passed on to the customer – recycled/reused cartridges cost less than originals.

How to Recycle and Reuse your Printer Cartridges

Read the instructions/box for your new printer cartridge carefully to find out how to recycle your specific brand. Many manufacturing companies will provide clear instructions, packaging materials and even free postage if you choose to recycle your used cartridge.

You may also refill certain ink cartridges. For all you DIY-types, many office supply stores offer easy-to-use refill kits for your inkjet or laser printer. If you’d rather not refill yourself, many print shops will refill cartridges for a small fee. However, remember that both toner and ink cartridges can only be refilled a certain number of times. In addition, there are parts of the cartridge that are not designed for repeated, lifetime use.

Several national retailers have programs encouraging customers to recycle cartridges, including in-store drop-boxes or money-back offers for each cartridge recycled. Some companies offer a donation to charities in exchange for returned empty printer cartridges.

Corporate Recycling Programs

Staples
Earn up to $2 pack per returned cartridge. Learn more here.

Office Depot
Earn Office Depot Rewards™ points, as well as rewards for educators and students. Learn more here.

Hewlett-Packard
Offers in-store drop off and free shipping for HP brand ink cartridge recycling. Learn more here.

Epson
Receive warranty upgrade and free inkjet cartridge for participation in recycling program. Learn more here.

Canon
Ship your used cartridges for free at any FedEx Office location. Learn more here.

Lexmark
Ship your used cartridges to Lexmark at no charge. Learn more here.

Oki
Oki offers customers the convenience of shipping toner cartridge back and ordering a new one at the same time. Learn more here.

Xerox
Xerox offers free shipping for Xerox and certain HP print cartridges. Learn more here.

Panasonic
Panasonic offers free shipping for cartridge returns. Learn more here.

Samsung
You can ship your Samsung print cartridges back via the U.S. Postal Service for free. Learn more here.

Brother
Brother has a recycling program for used printer cartridges that is free of charge. Learn more here.

Kyocera
Although shipping is not free, Kyocera customers can get information about recycling their cartridges. Learn more here.

Toshiba
Toshiba offers a great deal of information about recycling its print cartridges. Learn more here.

Dell
Dell has recycling for its inkjet and laser products. And shipping is free. Learn more here.

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Readers' Questions

  • sirpa
    How to recycle epson ink cartridges?
    2 months ago
  • To recycle your Epson ink cartridges, follow these steps:
    1. Remove the empty ink cartridge from your Epson printer. Make sure to handle it carefully to prevent any spills or leaks.
    2. Check for any specific recycling instructions provided by Epson. You can typically find this information on their website or on the cartridge packaging. Epson often recommends recycling through their own recycling program or authorized collection sites.
    3. If Epson has a recycling program, visit their website to find out the details. They might offer free recycling services or discounts on new ink cartridges in exchange for the recycling of used ones.
    4. If Epson does not have a recycling program, you can look for other options. Some office supply stores, electronic waste recycling centers, or local recycling facilities may accept printer ink cartridges for recycling. Check with these organizations to determine if they accept Epson ink cartridges and if any specific procedures need to be followed.
    5. Reuse the original packaging or find suitable packaging materials to secure the empty ink cartridge. This will help prevent any ink spills during transportation.
    6. Take the packaged cartridge to the appropriate recycling location. Drop it off at a designated Epson recycling point or any other authorized recycling center that accepts ink cartridges. Ensure that you adhere to any special instructions or guidelines provided by the recycling facility.
    7. By following these steps, you can ensure that your Epson ink cartridges are correctly recycled and don't end up in landfills or harm the environment.
    • LUAM
      Can printer cartridges be refilled?
      2 months ago
    • Yes, printer cartridges can be refilled. Refilling printer cartridges is a cost-effective alternative to buying new cartridges. However, it is important to note that not all printer cartridges can be refilled, and some printer manufacturers may void the warranty if refilled cartridges are used. Additionally, refilled cartridges may not always provide the same print quality as new cartridges.
      • benjamin
        Who fills empty ink cartridges?
        2 months ago
      • There are multiple options for filling empty ink cartridges:
        1. Printer Manufacturers or Authorized Retailers: Many printer manufacturers (such as HP, Canon, Epson) offer ink cartridge refilling services for their specific models. These services are usually available at their authorized service centers or retail stores.
        2. Third-Party Ink Refill Services: There are various third-party companies or independent retailers that specialize in refilling ink cartridges. These businesses often offer lower-cost alternatives to the original manufacturer's ink refills.
        3. DIY Refill Kits: Some consumers choose to refill their ink cartridges themselves using DIY refill kits. These kits typically include instructions, tools, and ink bottles, allowing individuals to refill their cartridges at home.
        4. It is important to note that not all ink cartridges are refillable, and attempting to refill non-refillable cartridges could damage the printer or produce low-quality prints.
        • Jo Tunnelly
          How much does officemax charge to print?
          2 months ago
        • The cost to print at OfficeMax depends on several factors, including the size and type of document, the number of pages, and whether it is in color or black and white. It is best to contact your local OfficeMax store or check their website for specific pricing information.
          • Lucille
            Can you recycle printer cartridges?
            3 months ago
          • Yes, printer cartridges can be recycled. Recycling printer cartridges helps to reduce waste and conserve resources. Many office supply stores, electronics stores, and manufacturers offer recycling programs for printer cartridges. You can typically bring your empty cartridges to these locations to be recycled. Additionally, some companies offer mail-in recycling programs where you can send your empty cartridges back to be recycled.
            • yemane
              Are printer ink cartridges recyclable?
              3 months ago
            • Yes, printer ink cartridges can be recycled. Many office supply stores and electronics retailers provide recycling programs for ink cartridges. Additionally, some manufacturers offer mail-in programs or drop-off locations for recycling ink cartridges. It is important to recycle ink cartridges to reduce waste and conserve resources.
              • Phillipp
                Does office depot recycle printers?
                3 months ago
              • Yes, Office Depot offers a technology recycling program, which includes the recycling of printers. Customers can bring their old printers to Office Depot stores for recycling.
                • Mika-Matti
                  Does office depot recycle toner cartridges?
                  3 months ago
                • Yes, Office Depot offers a recycling program for toner cartridges. You can bring your empty toner cartridges to a participating Office Depot store or ship them back using their prepaid shipping labels.
                  • hob
                    How to print with empty inkjet cartridges?
                    6 months ago
                  • If you have empty inkjet cartridges, it is not possible to print anything as there is no ink available to print with. In such cases, you will need to replace or refill the ink cartridges with fresh ink in order to print.
                    • doris
                      Does officemax refill ink cartridges?
                      6 months ago
                    • No, OfficeMax does not currently offer ink cartridge refilling services.
                      • HELEN
                        Does officemax recycle ink cartridges?
                        7 months ago
                      • Yes, OfficeMax offers ink cartridge recycling. You can bring your used ink cartridges to an OfficeMax store and drop them off in their designated recycling bins.
                        • adalberto
                          How many ink cartridges can i recycle at office depot?
                          7 months ago
                        • The number of ink cartridges you can recycle at Office Depot may vary depending on their specific recycling program and policies. It is recommended to contact your local Office Depot store or visit their website to obtain accurate information regarding ink cartridge recycling limits.
                          • Destiny
                            Does office depot refill ink cartridges?
                            8 months ago
                          • Yes, Office Depot offers ink cartridge refill services for select inkjet cartridges at select store locations. The service is called "Ink Refill" and allows customers to bring in their empty ink cartridges to be refilled with new ink. The availability of this service may vary depending on the specific store location, so it is recommended to check with your local Office Depot store for more information.