Understanding what to do with old printer toner isn’t always straightforward – there’s a lot of conflicting information out there! Some companies want you to send them back, others have tips for recycling, but only for certain cartridges – it quickly gets confusing.
Disposing of printer toner properly is important, for both protecting the environment and reducing waste. We’ve put together this guide to help you understand how to dispose of printer toner and where to dispose of printer toner cartridges.
We’ll provide you with a few different options in the article, but did you know you can make cash for toners here at Sell Toner? That’s right! Our toner buyback program is the best method for disposing of your unused, unopened cartridges – sign up today to see how much money you could be making!
When Does Disposal of Printer Toner Cartridges Make Sense?
Laser printer toner disposal isn’t something you’ll do every day, but there are certain scenarios where it’s necessary. Before we talk about how to dispose of printer toner, here are some of the situations where printer toner disposal makes sense.
Old or Expired Toner Cartridges
Toner cartridges don’t last forever. Over time, even if unopened, the toner inside can degrade and lose its effectiveness. Manufacturers often include a printer ink expiration date, and while some may still function after that point, the print quality will likely suffer.
How long does laser toner last if it’s not opened? It really depends on the brand, and the expiration date, if there is one. Some ink can be used after its expiration date (especially if it’s been stored properly), but there are risks involved.
Is printer ink toxic if it’s expired? No, but using old or expired toner can lead to streaks, smudges, and poor output, which wastes paper and time. When cartridges reach this stage, it’s best to learn what to do with old ink cartridges to avoid compromising your printing jobs.
A Surplus You Won’t Be Able to Use
Sometimes you may find yourself with more toner cartridges than you’ll ever need. Maybe you bought in bulk, upgraded your printer to one that uses different types of printer ink, or switched ink brands. Holding onto excess toner for too long can lead to waste, especially if it expires before use.
If you know you won’t be able to use the surplus, it’s better to figure out how to donate unused printer ink cartridges, where to recycle printer toner, or how to sell toner cartridges rather than keep them until they become unusable.
Why Figuring Out Where to Dispose of Printer Toner Cartridges is So Important
Learning how to dispose of printer toner isn’t so much about clearing out space, it has broader implications and can also save you or your company money in the long run. Here’s why figuring out printer toner disposal is crucial.
Environmental Impact
Toner cartridges are made of plastic, metal, and residual toner, all of which can harm the environment if improperly discarded. When toner cartridges end up in landfills, they contribute to the growing problem of electronic waste, which can take hundreds of years to decompose.
Plus, leftover toner can release harmful chemicals into the soil and water. Recycling or proper printer toner disposal can reduce this environmental burden, conserve resources, and help create a more sustainable future.
Corporate Responsibility
For businesses, responsibly managing printer toner disposal is a critical part of corporate sustainability efforts. Many companies today are expected to minimize their environmental footprint, and waste management is a big part of that.
By understanding how and where to dispose of printer toner cartridges, you can help your business enhance its corporate image, comply with environmental regulations, and contribute to global sustainability goals.
Operational Efficiency
Proper printer toner disposal can impact how smoothly your office operates. Keeping old, expired, or unused toner cartridges in storage can lead to clutter, wasted resources, and inefficiencies when trying to find the right supplies.
By learning how to dispose of printer toner properly and regularly disposing of cartridges you no longer need, you create a more streamlined, organized, and clutter-free workspace, which is calming and can even boost productivity.
Monetary Considerations
Let’s be honest, the laser printer toner cost isn’t cheap. Any money you can make back on your excess toner is a huge win! Some manufacturers and office supply stores offer recycling programs with discounts or rewards for returning empty cartridges.
Expired or damaged toner cartridges can clog your printer, causing damage or reducing the quality of your prints. Proper disposal of printer toner cartridges, rather than using them when they’re old or damaged, can save money and prevent unnecessary printer repairs.
How to Dispose of Printer Toner: All the Best Methods of Laser Printer Toner Disposal
So, proper disposal of printer toner cartridges is important for the environment, helps to de-clutter your workspaces, and can even save you money. Sounds good, right? Let’s talk about how to dispose of printer toner that’s no longer needed.
Sell Toner’s Cash Buyback Program for Unused, Unopened Cartridges
As we mentioned earlier, you can actually sell your unused and unopened printer toner. If you’re wondering where to sell toner cartridges, the answer is right here! At Sell Toner, we’ll happily take your toner off your hands, and we’ll even pay you for it!
How much can you sell new toner cartridges for? We pay a premium price for factory-sealed printer toner cartridges, with payments of up to $350 depending on the toner! All you need to do is sign up today to see how much money you could be making.
Is Sell Toner legit? Absolutely. We pay more for unused ink and toner than anyone in the industry, and as you can see from our amazing reviews, the process couldn’t be smoother! All you need to do is submit an offer, print your pre-paid shipping your label, send us your toner, and get paid!
Our toner reverse logistics is the best way to get unwanted toner off your hands. Not only do we solve the problem of how to dispose of printer toner you no longer want or need, but we pay you really good money for it! For unused and unopened toner, this is a no-brainer.
Manufacturer Take-Back Programs
Many printer manufacturers have take-back programs that make it easy to return used toner cartridges. Companies like HP, Canon, and Brother offer free recycling services where you can mail back empty cartridges.
Some manufacturers even provide prepaid shipping labels or offer rewards for participating in their recycling programs. It’s not as valuable as selling your cartridges to Sell Toner, but it’s still a good way to dispose of your toner.
Local Recycling Centers
If you’re looking for a nearby solution, local recycling centers often accept printer toner cartridges. These centers are equipped to handle electronic waste, including toner, ensuring that the materials are properly processed and repurposed.
Contact your local recycling center to confirm whether they accept toner cartridges and if they have specific drop-off guidelines. This is a great way to contribute to local sustainability efforts, but it is a little more time-consuming as you’ll need to take your toner to the facility.
Retailer Drop-Offs
Several major office supply stores, such as Staples, Office Depot, and Best Buy, offer toner recycling drop-off services. These retailers make it easy to recycle toner by allowing you to bring used cartridges directly to the store.
Some even provide incentives, like discounts or rewards points, for recycling toner with them. Again, it’s a more hands-on solution than mailing your cartridges, and it won’t earn you cash, but it’s another option for how to dispose of laser printer toner cartridges.
Repurposing and Refilling
Another option for extending the life of your toner cartridges is refilling or repurposing them. Some cartridges are refillable, with toner sold in bottles that can then be transferred to the cartridges.
Once you understand how to tell if an ink cartridge is empty by looking at it (or paying attention to your printer’s ink level alerts), you can then follow the manufacturer’s steps for refilling your specific cartridges.
It’s a good way to reduce waste, but be warned – it can be a messy process. We’ve got some tips on how to clean toner cartridge and how to clean up toner spills ready for you, just in case!
Tips for Reducing Toner Cartridge Waste
Learning how to dispose of laser printer toner cartridges properly is important, and it can save you significant money. That said, it’s also important to reduce your toner cartridge waste in the first place.
Make sure you understand how to put ink in printer properly, so that you’re not damaging cartridges or wasting valuable ink, leading to more waste. And of course, think twice before you print something – do you really need a physical copy?
Also, if you’re wondering what printer has the cheapest ink, it’s worth mentioning that cheap ink doesn’t lead to long-term savings. These printers often fly through ink, which means, even though each cartridge is cheaper, you’ll be using much more ink overall.
Parting Thoughts on How to Dispose of Laser Printer Toner Cartridges
Learning how to dispose of printer toner doesn’t have to be complicated – just choose the method that works best for you and stick to it. For unused, unopened toner, there’s no better option than using Sell Toner to dispose of cartridges you no longer need.
Not only do we make it as easy and convenient as possible, with pre-paid shipping labels, but we also pay good money for your cartridges. You could be making up to $350 per cartridge you sell to us – that’s a huge saving!
Discover a smarter way to dispose of your toner cartridges – sign up to Sell Toner today and see how much you could be making.
