How do I return Canon toner cartridges for recycling?

Canon began its recycling efforts in 1990. According to their official website they have collected more than “110,000 tons [of cartridges] around the world.” Canon utilizes the returned toner cartridges to produce plastics, metals and reconditioned parts that can be used not only in toner cartridges but other products as well. From their website you can request a return label or box for bulk cartridge return, multiple cartridge return and even single cartridge return. Customers cannot claim tax deductions or receive cash back on the cartridges, and Canon only allows the return of Canon brand toner cartridges.
Back to the Top

Where can I donate my old printer?

One of the most environmentally responsible things you can do with your old inkjet or laser printer is to donate it. With printer technology advancing with leaps and bounds, many people are buying upgrades, and sending their old printers out to the curb for the garbage truck to collect and add to toxic landfills. Why not donate instead? When you donate your printer, you are providing schools, low-income families and non-profit organizations equipment they may not be able to afford otherwise. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that electronics waste makes up approximately 1 percent on the municipal waste stream, and is expected to grow at three times the rate of other municipal waste. So don’t dump that printer when it can be reused by donating it. You can find out where to donate your printer by visiting the EPA’s website. Not only will you be doing your part to clean up our world, but you will also be lending your neighbor a helping hand.
Back to the Top

Do any inkjet cartridge manufacturers offer fundraising dollars for returns?

Epson, in partnership with the Funding Factory, offers schools and organizations a chance to raise money by collecting used Epson inkjet cartridges. According to the Funding Factory website, you earn money “for each Epson inkjet cartridge that is accompanied by a qualifying cartridge or cell phone.” Points for cartridges are calculated once each month and deposited into the school or organization’s online account. Points can be redeemed for items in the FundingFactory’s Rewards Catalog or paid to the school or organization by check. The downside of this effort is that, unlike Lexmark’s cartridge recycling program, the cartridges are not recycled – they are simply incinerated. Although Epson claims that the cartridges are disposed of in an environmentally friendly, waste-to-energy plant, it appears that this program benefits sales of their OEM cartridges because all used cartridges are destroyed so they can’t be refilled or remanufactured.
Back to the Top

Where can I send my printer for recycling?

HP offers customers the opportunity to return any brand of computer hardware to them for recycling. Since 1987, they have recycled 400 million pounds of hardware worldwide. Their recycling facilities sort and shred computer hardware and toner cartridges, processing materials into their raw forms so they can be used in dozens of ways to create new metal and plastic products. The cost for returning the hardware ranges from $13 to $34 per item, and is a good opportunity for consumers to be environmentally responsible in disposing of laser and ink jet printers. You can estimate the cost to use their printer recycling service on their website. This program does not offer a refund for equipment; however, HP has been known to offer e-coupons on printers and other pieces of computer hardware in exchange for qualified products that are returned for recycling.
Back to the Top

What printer manufacturer recycles instead of incinerates returned cartridges?

When you think “recycle ink cartridge,” think “Lexmark”! Lexmark customers can request a postage-paid bag from the company’s website (and participate in a recycling program that is 100% free. So what’s the difference between Lexmark and the other big name printer manufacturers?

Lexmark works hard to fully recycle toner and inkjet cartridges all over the world into useable products. In South Africa, Lexmark’s recycling efforts guarantees that cartridges do not end up in landfills. This manufacturer also teamed up with Planet Ark and Close The Loop in Australia making sure every single cartridge is either remanufactured or recycled. Lexmark also has recycling programs in Latin America – where customers can take their empty ink jet cartridges to Cinemark movie theaters and exchange them for free tickets. As a major provider of printing solutions, Lexmark takes its environmental responsibility very seriously!
Back to the Top

Will my cartridge vendor recycle my empty cartridges?
Don’t throw that empty inkjet cartridge away! You can convert it to cash by participating in a cartridge recycling program. Many cartridge vendors offer their customers an opportunity to recycle ink jet cartridges as well as toner cartridges. They may even pay for all of the shipping costs for returned cartridges if you meet a certain minimum requirement. Store your empty cartridges in a safe place while you collect them for recycling. Your vendor will not recycle printer ink cartridges if the flex tape is damaged or if they have crushed cases. Also, cartridges should not have visible damage to the print heads. Laser cartridges with cracked cases will be rejected as well. Typically, after your cartridges are inspected for damage, you will be issued a credit toward future purchases. You will not only save cash, but will be protecting our environment as well!
Back to the Top

Do any inkjet cartridge manufacturers offer fundraising dollars for returns?
Epson, in partnership with the Funding Factory, offers schools and organizations a chance to raise money by collecting used Epson inkjet cartridges. The downside of this effort is that, unlike Lexmark’s cartridge recycling program, the cartridges are not recycled – they are simply incinerated. Although Epson claims that the cartridges are disposed of in an environmentally friendly, waste-to-energy plant, it appears that this program benefits sales of their brand-name cartridges because all used cartridges are destroyed so they can’t be refilled or remanufactured. Buying remanufactured cartridges means you've already contributed to reducing the waste stream.
Back to the Top

Where can I send my printer for recycling?
Buying remanufactured printer cartridges is a reliable way to save money. Would you save even more if you bought a refill kit? Experts suggest the answer is no. Refilling ink cartridges yourself takes time, is messy and often does not produce good results in the printer.
Back to the Top

What printer manufacturer recycles instead of incinerates returned cartridges?
Lexmark works hard to fully recycle toner and inkjet cartridges all over the world into usable products. In South Africa, Lexmark’s recycling efforts guarantees that cartridges do not end up in landfills. This manufacturer also teamed up with Planet Ark and Close The Loop in Australia making sure every single cartridge is either remanufactured or recycled. Lexmark also has recycling programs in Latin America – where customers can take their empty ink jet cartridges to Cinemark movie theaters and exchange them for free tickets.
Back to the Top

Will my cartridge vendor recycle my empty cartridges?
A Harris Interactive poll taken in 2004 found that 55.6 percent of American consumers throw away their used printer cartridges. That adds up to about 270 million cartridges, or 40 million pounds of unnecessary waste -- waste that will take up to 1,000 years to decompose. The good news is that according to a 2004 study by the Rochester Institute of Technology, remanufactured cartridges provide the same quality and output as new ones -- often at a significantly lower cost, benefiting the consumer's bottom line as well as the planet.
Back to the Top