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Responsibly get rid of ink and toner with our full guide
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If your printer has run out of ink or toner, then it’s important to get rid of the old cartridges the right way so they don’t end up in a landfill. Luckily, there are many places that accept printer cartridges so they can be recycled properly. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through the best places to dispose of your ink cartridges, plus how you can refill or reuse them.
Best Ways to Dispose of Printer Cartridges
- Drop off used ink and toner cartridges at a store like Office Depot, Staples, Best Buy, or Walmart to have them properly recycled.
- Mail the cartridges back to their manufacturer so they’re disposed of safely.
- Check with your local recycling center, non-profits, or schools to see if they accept used ink cartridges for disposal.
Steps
Section 3 of 4:
How to Refill and Reuse Ink Cartridges
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Locate the fill holes on the top of the ink cartridge. You may need to peel off the sticker or label on top of the cartridge to expose the holes. On black ink cartridges, look for the fill hole in the center of the cartridge. If you’re refilling a color ink cartridge , then there will be 3 separate fill holes for the red, yellow, and blue ink. [11] X Research source
- If you don’t see any refill holes on the top of your ink cartridge, then it’s not made to be refilled. Recycle your old cartridge and purchase a new one.
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Inject the cartridges with ink until they’re full. Purchase an ink cartridge refill kit that’s compatible with the ink cartridges you’re filling. Cover your workspace with cardboard and wear gloves to protect the surface and yourself from ink spills. Fill up one of the kit’s syringes with the ink, and push it into the cartridge’s fill hole. Slowly press down on the plunger to add the ink into the cartridge until it oozes out. [12] X Research source
- Wipe any excess ink off with a paper towel when you finish filling them.
- Cover the hole with the label or a piece of tape before installing it in your printer .
- If you don’t feel comfortable refilling your ink cartridges by yourself, then search for an ink refill service in your area.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionShould I put ink used to refill cartridges in the landfill?Community AnswerNo. It will cause pollution to the surrounding area.
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QuestionWhat should I do with expired ink cartridges?Community AnswerIf you can't use it, give it to Staples or Office Depot to get money back on your next purchase. Or call the company. Maybe other stores give a person money for expired ink cartridges.
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QuestionWhat can I do with Epson-brand cartridges?Community AnswerYou can bring them to any local office supply store, and they should be able to properly recycle/ dispose of them for you.
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Tips
- Place ink cartridges in plastic bags when you’re removing or transporting them so they don’t spill or get leftover ink on anything.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/ink-cartridge-recycling
- ↑ https://www.officedepot.com/l/services/ink-and-toner-cartridge-recycling
- ↑ https://www.staples.com/lp/easyrewardsoverview/
- ↑ https://partners.bestbuy.com/-/heres-how-bby-is-making-it-easy-to-recycle-old-tech-newsupdate
- ↑ https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-ink-cartridges/
- ↑ https://www.lexmark.com/en_us/products/supplies-and-accessories/reuse-and-recycling-program/cartridge-collection-program.html
- ↑ https://epson.com/recycle-program
- ↑ https://www.brother-usa.com/supplies/toner-ink-recycling
- ↑ https://www.ramseycounty.us/content/ink-and-toner-cartridges
- ↑ https://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/waste/swfact_inkjetfactsheet.pdf
- ↑ https://youtu.be/R3kkgqoSXdk?t=21
- ↑ https://earth911.com/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-ink-cartridges/
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/documents/paper_usage.pdf
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/ways-to-save-money-on-printer-ink-a1045377994/
- ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/printers/ways-to-save-money-on-printer-ink-a1045377994/
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Reader Success Stories
- "I knew I shouldn't put my ink cartridges in the garbage (didn't know why), but you explain that it could cause pollution in the landfill. You also said that I could return it to the store I bought it from." ..." more
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