How can I reuse or recycle inkjet printer cartridges?

An assortment of printer cartridgesI suspect this is another recycle rather than reuse thing but again, I’m not sure how to go about recycling them.

Until recently, we didn’t have a printer at home and when I was at work, there was a helpful box in reception or the photocopying room that mystically took away my old ink/toner cartridges and turned them into money or unicorns or something.

As my description of the work-recycling process might indicate, I don’t know where those cartridges ended up so now we have a printer at home, I have a couple of cartridges and don’t know what to do with them. We’ve got a HP black and white laser printer and an Epson colour one (both second- or third- hand, I might add).

A quick search turns up a variety of options but aside from Oxfam who I suspect aren’t lying, I don’t know if the companies do with the money/cartridges as they say they will. And what about the Epson ink cartridges that Oxfam can’t take?

Any suggestions?

Best Suggestions

  • Recycle: As I said above, there are lots and lots of places that take cartridges for recycling. Some of them generate money for the person who donates the cartridges but most give that money to charity. Maximise that amount for charity by giving to them direct – most major charities in the UK have schemes, for example the Oxfam one linked above or the British Heart Foundation.
  • See the comments below for more suggestions and ideas

(Photo by aarenyes)

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76 Responses to “How can I reuse or recycle inkjet printer cartridges?”


  1. You can refill certain ink cartridges with a refill kit. You can probably get the refill kit from an office supply store. Plus, they’re lots of uses for the plastic syringe that you get with the kit after you have used it (feeding small animals, applying bleach to a small area, etc.)

  2. Cadan ap Tomos says:

    I have found a recycling programme called BigInk at http://www.bigink.co.uk/recycle.php, and they will pay you £2.50 for every ink cartridge you recycle.

    • Cadan ap Tomos wrote:

      I have found a recycling programme called BigInk at http://www.bigink.co.uk/recycle.php, and they will pay you £2.50 for every ink cartridge you recycle.

      Actually i can’t find anywhere that will recycle Epson Cartriges, only toners. Can somone help me out?

      • Marcella Slabosky says:

        I’m in the U.S., and the local office supply store accepts ink cartridges except for Epson. They told me that the reason they don’t take Epson is that the Epson cartridges have no parts that can be reused. Epson does have a program where you can return them to Epson, but they don’t recycle them in anyway; they incinerate them.

      • Avan says:

        We can buy empty Epson ink cartridges and other cartridges in large quantity, reply to me for more details, thakns! Avan

      • Maysa says:

        Hi Avan,

        We have loads of empty epson ink cartridges here in our office. We would be interested in recycling them. Do you actually buy them? Could you please send me the details?

        Thanks in advance.

        Maysa Marques

        maysa@rnduk.com

      • wayne Glusker says:

        Checking to see what you pay for Epson R2400 and r300 ink carts.
        Thanks, wayne

      • Anne says:

        Hi Avan,

        Would you be able to send me some information about how much you would buy empty epson cartridges for? We have loads and would been keen to get rid of them.

        Thanks

        Anne

        anne.jusb@btconnect.com

      • dawn says:

        I have tons of epson ink cartriges can you recycle them

      • Bridget Kenningham says:

        Dear Avan,
        I have about 20 epson cartridges. Would you be interested in them?

        Best Wishes
        Bridget

      • 1f88ded says:

        Could you please send me details of where I can send Epson ink cartridges for recycling?
        In a thread here you said you would buy them.
        Thanks
        Dave
        Please reply to visions1@talktalk.net

  3. Trudy says:

    Re-use your empty inkjet by getting it professionally refilled at InkXpress. Visit http://www.inkxpress.com. It saves you money on your inkjet cartridges and saves on wasteful landfill.

    Use this service for all the big brands, HP, Lexmark, Dell, Canon, Brother & Epson.

    Post your empty inkjet to InkXpress who return full ones. Or visit http://www.inkxpress.com to find out more.

    You use a FREEPOST address to send to them and your order is returned in 2 /3 days.

    It is also a very simple way to buy an inkjet as they just refill your cartridge with the same colour ink as the original – so they know which cartridge your printer needs.

    All cartridges are 100% quality guaranteed and these refilled cartridges do not affect your printer warranty.

    Great for a school, charity or business who can SAVE a lot of money every year by buying cheaper inkjets and sustaining a greener work ethic.

  4. Nikki says:

    You can refill and reuse ink cartridges. You can also bring some ink cartridges to Staples, who will recycle them. I hope this suggestion helps you.

  5. nel says:

    Cartridges for charity: http://www.cartridges4charity.co.uk/
    and they now have an address for Epson cartridge returns: http://www.cartridges4charity.co.uk/epsons.htm
    I would mention here that using recycled cartirdges in some printers would void the warranty, I use Epson printers propfessionally and would never use a recycled cartridge because Epson can only guarantee their own inks.

  6. Kayla says:

    Here’s the link to a company I recently used to recycle my old inkjet cartridges. They provided me with a check for the empty cartridges in about 3 days. Very good customer service! Felt good about helping the enviroment afterwards…

  7. Kayla says:

    http://www.reuseink.com is the website for the company.

  8. NeilM says:

    Follow this link, and get extra Tesco Clubcard points.
    http://www.tesco.com/greenclubcardpoints/

  9. Stan says:

    http://www.tonercartridgedepot.com recycles ink cartridges and toner cartridges. You can sell unused and empty cartridges to them.

  10. Kent says:

    http://www.ecartridgerenew recycles inkjet cartridges also and has free shipping in the US.

  11. Suzanne says:

    HP recycles inkjet and laser cartridges for free (along with other things) at: http://www.hp.com/recycle

  12. Ella says:

    If you post your ink cartridges to British Heart Foundation they recycle them. BHF get £1 per cartridge. You can pick up their free bags in BHF shops or online. More info here:

    http://www.bhf.org.uk/get_involved/special_offers_for_you/at_home/inkjet_cartridges.aspx

  13. Anonymous says:

    i replace my old ink cartridge with the full ones from work.

  14. marybell says:

    you can get a recycle cartridge bag from any pdsa outlet pdsa shops or there clinics they get money for there charity

  15. BIll says:

    More info about recycling and other printer related information can be found at http://www.castleink.com

  16. csulley says:

    does anyone know of anywhere that will recycle epson inkjet cartridges because i cant find anywhere!!

  17. E says:

    hi, I’m doing a school project on reusing old stuff. Does anyone know how to reuse (not refill) an ink cartirige? Any sugestions will really be apriciated. Thank you

  18. Chris says:

    You can go to: http://www.cashforcartridges.co.uk

    They will pay up to £2.25 for each cartridge, depending on the type/condition (price list online).

    They recycle Canon, HP, Dell, and Lexmark cartridges, but don’t accept Epson or toner cartridges.

    If you are collecting with a school/business, they can send you collection boxes. Payment is credited to your a/c for each working cartridge.

  19. mr williams says:

    I used reuseink.com who is now reusecellular.com they are great to work with!

  20. Andrew says:

    Found this site will take Epson cartridges; http://www.inkcycle.co.uk/empties1.php, but must be Epson originals, not compatibles.

  21. Avan says:

    We buy empty all brand ink cartridges(Epson acceptable) in large quantity, proper suppliers pls contact to me.
    usedimport@gmail.com

  22. Douglas says:

    Have epson ink cartridges to dispoes off in sever stata

    If u can supply adress or,help me where to go!!

    I am very green In my house (and always
    looking

  23. Douglas says:

    Epson Ink Cartridgesmf
    or recycle

  24. Douglas says:

    Return empty hp empty ink cartaige

  25. Douglas says:

    Collect epson ink Cartage for disposel

  26. Babitha says:

    Smart Cartridge in Epsom committed to assisting local businesses reduce their printer cartridge costs,we are also committed to highlighting the positive impact cartridge recycling has on the environment. we collect and recycle empty cartridges for local business and schools
    SMART CARTRIDGE 41 UPPER HIGH STREET EPSOM, SURREY,KT17 4RA. 01372 729 559/FAX 01372 729 979 OR EMAIL epsom@smart-cartridge.com

    • Anonymous says:

      Only a madman would start a cartridge-recycling business in Epsom — 95% of customers will think it’s for Epson only.

      • Anonymous says:

        only a stupid person like u would think that way,u might as well get a job with the local traffic wardens

  27. John Thomas says:

    I send my empties to this company as they are another one that recycles empty inkjet cartridges.

  28. John Thomas says:

    This is their site for buying the recycled cartridges. http://www.ink2u.co.uk

  29. Gill says:

    Some charity shops/church centres may have collection points. Or request recycling bags from Collect4 at bags@collect4.co.uk. I have used one for the Leprosy mission – the bags go back to: FREEPOST RLYJ-XSLE-BATT
    Collect4
    9 Newport Business Park
    Bishops Road
    Lincoln
    LN2 4SY
    They also take mobile phones & left over change from foreign travel

  30. Jon says:

    Most companies will not take Epson Inkjets as they are not recyclable. http://www.recycleinkcartridges.co.uk will take them as long as you are recycling some stuff that they do recycle. The Epson ones are then sent for plastic recycling.

  31. Ryan says:

    I recycle all ink cartridges, toners and old mobiles for charity.

    If you would like to recycle them please email me
    ryan.holt@fundraisingforcharities.org.uk

  32. Chris says:

    LOOK!!

    Recycle All your ink cartridges, all models and brands for free. They send you freepost envolopes and everything

    http://www.fundraisingforcharities.org.uk/recycling.aspx

  33. WOW!! What an amazing company. This company collects your ink cartridges. toners and mobile phones. Donating money to a charity called woodland trust as well as to schools, colleges and NHS Trusts! This is so much more benifical to recycle!

  34. Jean says:

    Look at the add above from someone called Ryan.

    They recycle empty ink cartridges, toners and old mobiles and gives the money to charity.

    I would recommend them!

  35. Check out this one,

    http://www.planetinkclub.com

    remanufactured and recycled catridges – no more inky fingers!

    Bex

  36. Mr. issa says:

    I work for an oil serice company based out of Abu Dhabi in the UAE. But i work for the Libya Branch. we have alot of used printer cartridges, as well as paper and other recyclabe items. as do all the companies working here.
    all of us are in the same situation.
    THERE IS NO RECYLCING FACILITIES IN LIBYA.

    i have spoken to most of the environmental managers here in Libya for all the big oil companies, and all are extemley keen to recycle their waste, but have no means of doing so.
    if anyone knows any companies interested in collecting thousands of cartridges, and tonnes of paper, please let me know.
    My company could store the stuff untill there is enough to warrant a container or something.
    We dont want to be paid, we just want to make sure they dont get dumped into the ground.
    However, the problem the companies here are not willing to foot the bill for shipping them out of the country.

    fyi- a recycling center in Libya would be extemley profitable to anyone who decided to set up here.

    if interested, please email issa7654@gmail.com

  37. Anonymous says:

    Iam a student i normaly use cartridge shop in Epsom Upper High Street, they are very friendly and they do student discount as well(every penny counts) and they dont charge extra for the cartridge refill even if i didn’t take my empty cartridge with me they have a recycler bin you can recycle your cartridges there. but i am not sure they take Epson cartridges.

  38. Anonymous says:

    No they don’t take Epson cartridges they sell Epson compatibles i tryed refilling my epson cartridges from diffrent cartridge shop they didnt accually work so i buy the compatibles from the cartridge shop in Epsom, they refilled my mum’s Hp cartridges they where great and they work longer than the Original HP Cartridges they where called Star Cartridge—-01372 729 559

  39. Alan says:

    you can recycle your print cartridges at http://www.greenertomorrow.org.uk and can get csh for these

  40. Anonymous says:

    You can recycle your cartridges in Epsom
    Star Cartridge
    41 Upper High Street
    Epsom,Surrey
    KT17 4RA
    Tel:01372 729 559
    Fax:01372 729 979
    epsom@starcartridge.com
    printer servicing & Printers,office supplies & Photo Papers and Good Quality Compatibles

  41. don says:

    you could also try http://www.emptycartridge.co.uk they collect for free nationwide and pay upto £3.50 for inkjets and £5.00 for lasers

  42. Alan says:

    http://www.selloldphone.co.uk offer cash for old,new,working and none working mobile phones they have an online tracking system which enables users to track their orders and payment is within 48 hours after receipt of the mobile phones. They also accept certain chargers with certain types of phones and offer a freepost service with envelope provided if needed. http://www.greenertomorrow.org.uk the sister company offer cash for printer cartridges

  43. Bill Monk says:

    This website also recycles ink cartidges. The proceeds go to charity. Looks like a good scheme.

    http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/recycling/

  44. Eco friend says:

    You can have your printer cartridges refilled at Cartridge World. I used to pay around £25 for new printer cartridges and considering how much I use my printer, the costs built up significantly! Now I get them refilled at my local store for just £10!

  45. Stefano says:

    Found an article that explains the differences between recycled and remanufactured cartridges as well listing tips/tricks for recycling cartridges at http://www.inkguides.com/ink-toner-cartridge-recycling.asp.

    Only US recycling programs are unfortunately listed…

  46. Emma says:

    I have sent some of mine (mainly the toners) to coloursave, they make a donation to charity for them http://www.coloursave.com

  47. Anonymous says:

    You can recycle your printer cartridges from
    Star Cartidge
    41 Upper High Street
    Epsom
    KT17 4Ra
    01372 729 559
    epsom@starcartridge.com
    Toner Cartridges and ink cartridges can be refilled please don’t through your empty cartridges ,you could save up to 60% .We Refill Dell cartridges.
    We sell compatible Epson cartridges 30% more inks than Originals

  48. What ist the better printer, the HL2040 or HL2150. I am would looking to buy a new one.


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