How to Recycle Toner Cartridges Responsibly
As anyone who uses and replaces printer toner cartridges knows, it can be tempting to throw them away when they’re empty. The thing is, toner cartridge recycling is a more responsible, sustainable way to deal with your empties, and it’s easier to do than ever before.
You can recycle them by:
- Dropping them off at a retailer
- Sending them through the mail
- Working with a nonprofit that recycles for you
Whether you’re concerned with HP toner cartridge recycling or have another product to unload, HP’s recycling program is free, efficient, and good for the planet.
Why you should recycle
The idea of laser toner cartridge recycling sounds like it has benefits for our ecosystem, but what’s the harm if you don’t participate? Well, throwing empty toner or ink cartridges into the trash means they go into the landfill, a practice that’s becoming a problem for our planet.
The stats are sobering, and according to National Geographic [1], only 9% of plastics are actually being recycled. It takes more than 400 years to break these materials down and only 12% is incinerated, making the potential for a plastic crisis a reality.
Doing nothing could worsen the problem of the 8 million metric tons of plastic that get into our waterways each year, so taking small steps now is necessary. And it can start with what you buy and how you deal with your trash.
HP® has taken the initiative to do something about these staggering numbers. One way is through the toner recycling program, part of the HP Planet Partners Initiative. Anyone who buys HP or Samsung-branded toner products has an easy way to be a part of positive change. The best part? It's free!
Where to recycle toner cartridges
Whether you order your toner online from HP directly, through an HP online retail partner, or from an in-store retailer, it’s incredibly easy to recycle when done. Currently, HP® partners with 16,500 sites across the globe to take HP and Samsung-branded printing products back from consumers when they’re empty.
The HP Planet Partners Program is simple to use. Here’s how to do it where you live:
1. Recycle in-store
Retailers participating in the free drop-off program for HP and Samsung toner products include Staples, Office Depot, Walmart, and Best Buy. To be sure that the retailer nearest you is an authorized collection location, visit the retailer locator and then click “Drop it off” to find your store from the list.
Once in the store, you should see drop off location areas near where the toner is sold, or you can inquire at the customer service desk. While you won't get cash or credit for turning in your empty toner products, you are doing your part to help the planet and reduce waste in our landfills and waterways.
2. Mail in your empties
To recycle laser toner cartridges by mail, check the packaging that your toner cartridge came in because there should be a mailable envelope enclosed. If you don't see one, go to the HP recycling page, click "Recycle," and then choose your country. Click your product type and "Send in to HP."
You’ll be asked if you want to print your shipping materials or order materials to be sent to your home or business. If you have a large amount of toner to recycle, you can also select pallet pickup. Indicate what product you are returning, the number of envelopes or boxes you need, and click “order.”
You will be given a form to provide your contact and mailing info. You’ll then receive postage-paid mailing materials for you to put your empty toner cartridges in to send at your convenience.
If you do not have access to the internet, you can also call for supplies. You can reach the recycling team at 1-800-340-2445 from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST, to request free boxes or envelopes. The HP Planet Partners team center is closed on major U.S. holidays.
To properly ship a toner cartridge, HP® recommends that you tape 2-8 supply boxes together and use one prepaid shipping label printed from the website to send them back. You can also use your own suitable, sturdy box. Just be sure to keep the weight under 70 lbs.
Large businesses with a pallet’s worth of empties or more are asked to call and request a pallet pickup.
3. Use recycling toner collection units
Another component of responsible printing is proper handling of the toner collection unit (TCU), also known as “collection kits.” These can be returned only with toner cartridges, but they are recyclable. It also allows you to recycle other toner consumable components, including fuser kits and transfer kits. This option is available only to large enterprise customers at this time.
To access your TCU safely and to recycle through the HP program:
1. Open your printer’s front door and release the latches
2. Remove the TCU, being careful of any toner dust that may be covering it
3. Carefully place the full TCU into the HP-provided plastic bag that came with the TCU replacement
4. Put the sealed bag into the HP Planet Partners Program collection kit box for shipment with your next batch of used toner cartridges
Are all HP printing products recyclable?
Unfortunately, not every HP product may be recycled through the program. While HP Planet Partners covers many items, there are some that may not be returned for inclusion in the recycling process.
These include discontinued or non-supported HP products and printing products made by companies other than Samsung or HP®. If your printing empty isn’t returnable through the formal HP program, check with your local waste service or recycling program to see if they accept these on a local level.
HP® takes more than printing supplies. They can accept some printers, computers, and other hardware items through their various used products program. Your old equipment may be worth credit for future products, too. Some items can be donated to benefit select charities as chosen by HP®. Learn more at their returnable products page.
HP inkjet recycling options
These solutions work for toner products, sure, but what if you use an inkjet printer? The good news is that ink cartridges are accepted as well. There is also one additional method of recycling ink cartridges.
Do you already subscribe to the popular and economical HP Instant Ink program? In addition to saving money on printing, you can benefit from the easy environmental perks of the program. Recycling is a natural part of the subscription plan.
Under the terms of HP Instant Ink, the ink cartridges sent to you from HP® are considered the company’s property. It is expected that you return them when you are done with them or when you end your HP Instant Ink subscription. The program makes it easy to do so - just put your empty cartridges in the postage-paid, addressed plastic envelopes that come in each box of new ink.
HP® asks that you wait until you have three to eight empty cartridges before mailing a return envelope. The number you can fit into the envelope depends on the size and type of ink you use. You don't have to spend an extra penny to recycle through the program.
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