Printer cartridge usage is huge these days, with nearly 375 million cartridges ending up in landfills yearly. However, the materials of the printer cartridge are difficult to degrade and might remain on the earth for nearly 1,000 years. In addition, some printer cartridges contain toxic components such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, which can pollute soil and water resources. Year after year, more and more printer cartridges are thrown away, which is undoubtedly extremely harmful to our planet.
In fact, inkjet and toner cartridges are recyclable. Many OEMs and 3rd-party re-manufacturers recycle and reuse empty ink and toner cartridges, which contributes to reducing waste and conserving resources like oil and water.
Plus, empty toner cartridge recycling can also help save money if you participate in a cash-back recycling program.
Ready to take action but don’t know how and where to recycle ink cartridges? Check out this blog and find the easiest way to recycle ink cartridges.
Index
Where To Recycle Ink Cartridges Near Me
How To Recycle Ink Cartridges Via OEMs' Recycling Program
- Recycle HP Ink Cartridges
- Canon Cartridge Recycling
- Brother Toner Recycling
- Xerox Recycling Program
- Lexmark Toner Recycling
Where To Recycle Ink Cartridges For Cash Back
How To Refill Empty Ink Cartridges
Where To Recycle Compatible Ink Cartridges
Where To Recycle Ink Cartridges Near Me
Recycling used ink cartridges nearby means there is no need to transport them to distant recycling facilities. This helps reduce carbon emissions and logistics costs for long-distance transport.
Many office supply stores, electronics stores, and big-box retailers offer used toner recycling programs. Places like Staples, Office Depot, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart often have drop-off locations for recycling inkjet and toner cartridges.
Wondering how to find the nearest place to recycle ink cartridges? Navigate to Earth911.Com and type “inkjet cartridges” (or “toner cartridges”) and zip code. Then click Search. You will get detailed information about recycling facilities that are near you.
When you find a location to recycle your ink cartridges, it's always a good idea to confirm their recycling policies, as some places may have specific guidelines for preparing them for recycling. Additionally, some recycling programs may offer incentives or discounts for returning used cartridges, so it's worth checking if any rewards are available.
Here are some tips on how to recycle ink cartridges with Staples, Office Depot, and Target. Hope they are helpful to you.
Staples Rewards® program:
Buy ink or toner for $50 in-store or online at Staples within 180 days prior to recycling.
Drop off the used cartridges at the register of Staples store or mail them to Staples by using a prepaid shipping label.
Earn $2 per cartridge, up to 10 recycled cartridges per month for base members, and 20 recycled cartridges per month for Premier and Elite members.
Check your rewards in the next monthly Rewards statement.
You can only recycle ink or toner cartridges bought at Staples and use rewards for further purchases.
Office Depot Ink & Toner Cartridge Recycling:
Bring the empty ink or ink cartridge to Office Depot’s cash register or print a free USPS shipping label and drop the package at the USPS store.
Get $2 rewards per recycled cartridge, and recycle up to 10 cartridges per month.
Once you make a $10 qualifying purchase during the same month, the rewards will be issued as a rewards certificate online the next day.
Target Recycling Stations:
Find the recycling station at the entrance of the Target store.
Put the used ink cartridges in the recycling bin that says “Ink cartridges.”
How To Recycle Ink Cartridges Via OEMs' Recycling Program
Most original equipment manufacturers will recycle and reuse their printer cartridges to create new ones. This section will introduce some of OEM’s recycling programs so that you can know whether it is for you.
Recycle HP Ink Cartridges
HP has an ink cartridge recycling program called "HP Planet Partners." This program promotes environmental responsibility by recycling cartridges into raw materials for new products.
You can drop off used HP cartridges at participating locations: Staples, Best Buy, Office Depot|Max, or Walmart. Simply visit this recycling program, and click "FIND A LOCATION" to get information about a nearby store.
Or you can use their mail-in recycling option. Click "MAIL IT BACK"> Fill in the quantity of the item you want to recycle > Print a free shipping label > Pack and ship.
Also, you can request a pickup If you have more than 76 toner cartridges or more than 1,000 ink cartridges.
Please be informed that HP also accepts Samsung toner cartridges.
Canon Cartridge Recycling
You can recycle Canon ink cartridges by bringing them to the FedEx Office Print & Ship Centers. Then the FedEx Office will send the used cartridges to the next destination for recycling.
Off course, you can also mail your ink cartridges back to Canon at the following address, but you need to pay for the shipping.
Canon USA, Inc.
Attn: CETI
5980 Industrial Drive
Gloucester, VA 23061-3874
For Canon toner recycling, you don't need to bear the postage. You can print a free prepaid ARS label at Canon's website. Then pack the empty toner cartridges well and affix the ARS label to the package. Finally, wait for a UPS driver to pick it up or drop it off at the nearby UPS store.
Canon has listed all the acceptable items like Canon 067 toners, Canon 069 toners, and Canon 055 toners. Please make sure you check whether your Canon cartridges are acceptable or not before recycling, as well as the packing and shipping instruction.
Brother Toner Recycling
Can you recycle ink cartridges with Brother? The answer is Yes. Brother allows you to recycle ink, toner, and drum for free. Only a few steps can you complete empty ink and used toner recycling:
1. Pack the old cartridges with the packaging materials of the new cartridges or a right-sized box and wrapper.
2. Login to your Brother account or create a new one so that you can print a free Brother Smart Label.
3. Stick the label on the box and return it back to Brother via USPS.
Xerox Recycling Program
Where to recycle toner cartridges with Xerox? Check Xerox Green World Alliance. You can recycle cartridges through Eco Box and pallet return processes or via single item return depending on the quantity of the Genuine Xerox supplies items you plan to return.
Single Item Returns - This return process suits you if you have no more than five items (on the Take Back List) to return. Enter the part / sku number in the "Single Item Returns" tab to search whether there is an option. If yes, fill in the quantity and click "add to returns"; then, you can print labels.
Eco Box Returns - If you have 5-30 items to return, the Eco box returns process is more effective and eco-friendly. Order Eco Boxes (which are sold in kit and have a prepaid UPS shipping label affixed to each box.) Otherwise, you use your own box and request a shipping label on the Xerox website.
Pallet Returns - When you need to return more than 30 items, call 1-877-585-4745 and ask for pallet returns. Ensure you download the bill of lading from the pallet tab to accompany the shipment.
Lexmark Toner Recycling
Wondering how to recycle toner cartridges and inks with Lexmark? Join Lexmark Cartridge Collection Program (LCCP). No complicated procedure is required. You just need to repackage the cartridges and request a Lexmark recycling label. Then secure the label to the box and ship it.
Where To Recycle Ink Cartridges For Cash Back
As mentioned above, some office supply stores, like Staples and Office Depot, will reward you for recycling toner cartridges, but these rewards can only be used on your next order at that store. So you have to spend to get cash back. Strictly speaking, it's not cash back. So no place allows you to take cash for your recycled cartridges? No. The following sites can give you cash back. Also, you can donate the proceeds to a charity.
All these sites have a list of printer cartridges they will accept and the value of the cartridge. Please check whether your cartridges are on the list since these sites only pay for acceptable ones. And some of them may even charge for unacceptable cartridges.
www.cfktoday.com
Pack the items. (Ensure the items of each box has a total value of $15 or more.)
Request a UPS label, and place it on the box.
Drop it off UPS location or schedule a pickup (the additional charge is on you.)
www.ecyclegroup.com
Put a minimum of 20 items or 20lbs of mix product per box. (Each box should not be more than 40lbs, and make sure the sizes of your box meet its condition.)
Keep a packing list and tracking number for records.
Request a prepaid UPS label and secure it on the box.
Take the packaged box to UPS ship center or leave it for a UPS driver. (Do not call a pickup.)
When your recycled items are worth $25 or more, you'll receive a check the following month.
www.empties4cash.com
Pack a minimum of 15-20 ink cartridges per box carefully.
Request a Fexdex prepaid label.
After you fill out your account number and information on the label, tape it on the box.
Call FedEx Ground at (888) 777-6040 or Empties4Cash Customer Service at (800) 456-4320 for a pickup.
When your shipment reaches $5 or more, you will receive a check within 5 business days of receiving your shipment.
*Important: Be sure to check the full program details and requirements of the recycling facility before you recycle your printer cartridges.
How To Refill Empty Ink Cartridges
Refilling ink and toner cartridges is another way to recycle them. For ink cartridges, check if your model is refillable and get a refill kit with syringes and ink bottles. Prepare your workspace, remove the cartridge, find the refill holes, and inject the correct color ink. Reseal the holes and reinstall the cartridge.
Toner cartridge refilling is more complex and potentially hazardous due to toner powder. Experienced individuals can use refill kits following instructions carefully. Confirm if your specific cartridge is refillable and consider warranty implications. For both types, if unsure, seek professional assistance to avoid damaging the cartridges or printer. Refilling can save money and reduce waste, but the print quality may vary from new cartridges.
Where To Recycle Compatible Ink Cartridges
Many environment-conscious printer users ask where and how to recycle compatible ink cartridges. Actually, since compatible ink cartridges are produced to reduce cost, their counterparts are not as durable as the OEMs’ and generally cannot be reused. Therefore, few facilities will accept compatible ink cartridges because their recycling value is low. But you can check with several major office stores, like Staples, Office Depot, and Target, or nearby recycling facilities to see if they accept compatible ink cartridges.
