How to Recycle Printer Cartridges

There’s nothing worse than having old printer cartridges stacking up in your drawer only to get dumped. Since they don’t break down naturally, they often end up in landfills, where they release harmful chemicals to the environment. 

But the good news is a large part of this waste can be easily avoided. How? By recycling printer cartridges so they no longer make their way to the trash. In this blog, we’ll discuss how to recycle printer cartridges and help save the environment!

Why Recycle Printer Cartridges

Did you know that every year, over 350 million cartridges are tossed into landfills around the globe? What’s worse is that the plastic in these cartridges takes up to 1,000 years to break down, adding to the pollution. However, recycling ink cartridges helps combat the issue, conserves energy, and reduces the impact on air and water quality. 

Not just that, the benefits of recycling ink cartridges go way beyond just the environmental impact. It’s more economical and costs way less than regular trash disposal. Plus, it reduces waste by ensuring that leftover ink is used effectively. 

Instead of throwing away a whole cartridge when only one color runs out, recycling helps put the remaining ink to good use. However, how to recycle printer cartridges still remains a mystery for most people today. 

How to Recycle Printer Cartridges? 

Stats reveal that, on average, about eight printer cartridges are thrown away every second in the US. Now that we know the benefits of recycling, it’s obvious how switching to recycling can make a huge difference. Here’s how to recycle printer cartridges correctly: 

1. Drop Off Empty Printer Cartridges to Local Recycling Centers 

Perhaps the easiest way to recycle your empty ink cartridges is to drop them off at a local recycling center. Look up nearby recycling facilities on websites like US EPA or Earth911.com; simply enter your zip code to get a list of options available near you. 

Alternatively, take your used cartridges to office supply stores with dedicated drop-off bins exclusively designed for recycling purposes. While less likely, it’s possible some community recycling events also accept used cartridges. It’s always more eco-friendly to turn to local recycling centers than ship cartridges back to the stores you got them from. 

2. Look for Recycling Programs with Manufacturers 

To ensure sustainable printing, ink, and toner manufacturers often offer recycling programs that help reduce your carbon footprint. For instance, HP offers a recycling program, allowing you to drop your print cartridges at selected office supply stores or even send them back for free. 

On the other hand, Canon lets you deliver cartridges at FedEx locations, whereas, Epson provides prepaid FedEx shipping labels for sending back the used cartridges for recycling. To avoid running into issues with recycling, it’s best to stick to cartridges made specifically for your printer rather than generic ones. 

Even better, programs like Cartridge for Kids join hands with schools or nonprofits to turn empty cartridges into cash. Check online recycling guides to figure out how much your cartridges are worth for a fair value in return. 

3. Get Your Printer Cartridges Refilled 

If you prefer not to visit a recycling center, another sustainable option for you is to refill the printer cartridges yourself using the kit. This, in turn, reduces waste and saves you a trip. However, it’s worth noting that not all cartridges can be refilled. Some may allow refills only a few times before it’s time to replace them. 

If you’d rather invest more in ink and paper, buying remanufactured cartridges is also a viable option for you. 

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know how to recycle printer cartridges, it’s time to reduce your carbon footprint already. Whether you drop them off at recycling centers, turn to recycling programs, or opt for remanufactured cartridges, there’s always a way to get you around reducing waste. Pick the option that works best for you, and start saving the Earth today! 

For more tips on sustainable printing techniques, don’t forget to check out PaperPapers – we have it all for you!