What Should You Do With Unused Printer Cartridges?

If you purchase a new printer and a selection of printer cartridges but don’t end up using the printer as much as you thought you would, you might be wondering what you should do with the spare unused cartridges you have. Whether you have toner cartridges or ink cartridges, there are a few different ways you can dispose of the printer cartridges you don’t need. 

To make managing your printer consumables as easy as possible, below we have put together some useful information. Whatever your reason may be for no longer needing or not being able to use the printer cartridges you have, consider the following; 

Keep Some Replacements Stored Away 

While you shouldn’t keep unused cartridges for an excessive period, as they will degrade over time, having a supply of spare cartridges can be useful. By keeping some unused ink or toner cartridges on hand, you will be able to quickly replace empty or faulty cartridges without interrupting your printing tasks. This can save you both time and effort, especially when you have urgent or important documents to print. 

Printer cartridges can be expensive too, and prices will vary depending on the brand and model. You shouldn’t throw away any cartridges that are still usable as this can be a waste of money. Keeping some until you need them can help you save money in the long run.

Test Whether the Cartridges Work 

Before you throw away any printer cartridges, it’s worthwhile testing them. If a cartridge is old and expired or has been stored improperly, the print quality may be compromised. However, even if you think that an unused cartridge isn’t any good, it may still be able to print your documents. By testing the cartridge, you can evaluate its performance and determine whether it meets your printing needs. 

Discarding cartridges that still have ink or toner remaining will be contributing to unnecessary waste too. Testing the cartridges allows you to use any cartridges that work until they are empty, helping you to avoid unnecessary replacement costs.

Recycle Old Cartridges 

Recycling is one of the best ways to responsibly manage unused printer cartridges. It isn’t uncommon for printer manufacturers to have recycling programs. Often, local electrical shops will also have recycling options in-store too. 

When you use a professional recycling option, you can ensure that the toner or ink cartridges are being recycled properly, reducing waste and helping to protect the environment. A simple internet search will help you to find the most convenient printer consumables recycling option for you, whether this is dropping the cartridges off or posting them somewhere. 

Sell Unused Cartridges 

If your cartridges are still in their original packaging and good condition, you can explore the option of buy back solutions. Selling your cartridges for cash is a great way to get them off your hands and you can spend the money on other printing supplies you may need. This is particularly useful if you’ve upgraded your printer and need a different type of cartridge. 

Online marketplaces and specialised platforms, like Trade Your Toner, can make it easy to sell your unused toner or ink cartridges from the comfort of your home. At Trade Your Toner, we will even collect your cartridges, so you won’t have to spend a penny. 

Find Out More About Printer Cartridge Buy Back Solutions 

Now you know more about what you can do with your unused printer cartridges, you can decide what you’d like to do with any spare unused cartridges you have. If you’re interested in printer cartridge buy back options, like the re-selling service we provide at Trade Your Toner, be sure to explore our website. We buy anything related to printers and we can help you turn your unwanted cartridges into cash. 

If you have any questions about the process of selling your genuine, original cartridges to Trade Your Toner, feel free to get in touch with our team. You can call us on 01223756442, email us at contact@tradeyourtoner.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website and we will get back to you as soon as possible with the information you need.