The Dos and Don’ts of Recycling Unused Ink Cartridges

Whether you have a printer at home or you’re responsible for maintaining a printer at work, you need to consider what you’re going to do with empty ink cartridges. Once you have used your printer cartridges and they’re empty, you need to ensure that you’re disposing of them responsibly and not just throwing them in the bin. 

Sometimes, you may have a surplus of unused ink cartridges that you’re not sure what to do with too. If you’re not going to use these printer cartridges before their expiration date, you may be wondering whether you can recycle them instead. To help you know what to do with your printer ink cartridges, below we have covered some key dos and don’ts.

Can You Recycle Unused Ink Cartridges?

In short, yes, unused ink cartridges can usually be recycled. It’s becoming increasingly important to recycle both empty and unused cartridges. In today’s world when environmental sustainability is a priority, recycling printer consumables can help to prevent unnecessary products from going to landfill. With millions of ink cartridges discarded every year, recycling is an eco-friendly approach and can help to minimise environmental impact. 

Recycling ink cartridges enables the materials to be reused or repurposed too. Different companies that offer recycling for ink cartridges will use them in different ways and there are so many different ways the materials can be used in the future. 

Key Dos and Don’ts 

When it comes to recycling your unused ink cartridges that are currently taking up space in your home or office, there are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind;

Don't Dispose of Ink Cartridges in Household Bins

Even when you’re recycling cartridges, they shouldn’t be thrown into your regular household recycling bin. They contain a range of materials, from plastic to metal, and it’s best to recycle them properly. Keep your ink cartridges separate from your other recyclables and get some guidance from your local recycling facility about how you should dispose of them. 

Do Look for Local Recycling Schemes 

In addition to using a recycling facility, you can also explore the option of printer manufacturers’ recycling programs. Many will have options for recycling ink cartridges and you can ensure you’re sending your unused cartridges to the right place. You may find that office supply stores and print shops may also have recycling options available too. Find out more about the closest drop-off locations and any specific requirements they may have.

Don’t Throw Everything Away Together 

If you decide to recycle unused ink cartridges that you’ve had in storage for quite some time, you should ensure that you remove the packaging and protective materials first. Commonly, cardboard boxes and plastic bags can be put into your household recycling, and they won’t need specialist recycling. You may find that elements of the packaging can’t be recycled too and should be disposed of separately.

Do Consider Selling Unused Cartridges 

You don’t necessarily have to recycle your unused printer cartridges and you may be able to sell them instead. Companies like Trade Your Toner will purchase your ink cartridges from you and you can turn your unwanted cartridges into cash. When you sell your ink cartridges, you won’t have to worry about ensuring they’re properly recycled either. 

Sell Ink Cartridges Online Today 

Hopefully, the information above will be useful if you’re interested in recycling your surplus of unused ink cartridges. It’s fair to say that if you can, re-selling your cartridges is always a good idea and this is something we can help you with at Trade Your Toner. One of our experts can provide you with a price for your cartridges and we purchase everything from 1 to 1000 ink cartridges. It couldn’t be easier to sell your ink cartridges online. 

If you would like to find out more about the process of selling your ink cartridges to Trade Your Toner, don’t hesitate to contact us. You can complete the contact form on our website or email us at contact@tradeyourtoner.co.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can call us on 01223756442 and we can answer any questions you may have over the phone. We look forward to hearing from you.