Are you ready to decrease the carbon footprint of your home or office and start participating in a toner recycle program? There are several ways that you can make sure that your printer and cartridges end up being reused rather than being tossed into the nearest landfill.
Toner Recycle Program Options
When you participate in a toner recycle program you are making an environmentally responsible decision regarding what to do with your empty printer cartridges. Rather than throwing them away, you turn them in to a company that will recycle them.
Depending on the type and age of the items that you submit, they may be refilled and sold to customers who opt to purchase refurbished printer cartridges rather than buying brand new ones. Purchasing recycled printer ink can be a great way to reduce your office supplies expense while also incorporating green living practices into your home or office.
Cartridges that are not in good enough condition to be recycled or that cannot be resold for their original purpose may be recycled in other ways. Both the plastic and the metal components may be reclaimed for use in manufacturing various types of products.
It really doesn't matter what the cartridges that you choose to recycle are used for. What matters is that you get these non-biodegradable items into the hands of a company or organization that can put them to further use rather than allowing them to pile up in landfills.
Examples of Recycling Programs
Here are some examples of different types of programs designed to recycle toner cartridges:
Staples Toner Recycling
Staples offers two options for consumers who want to recycle their ink and toner cartridges, one in the store and the other by mail. You can drop off toner cartridges at any Staples store for recycling and earn credit that can be used to purchase office supplies from the retailer in exchange for your efforts. Staples accepts all ink and toner cartridges for recycling. Those who participate in the program will receive $3 in Staples Rewards for each cartridge they submit to the program, up to a maximum of ten per month.
Staples also offers customers and opportunity to participate in its InkDrop program. It is a simple way to replace and recycle used printer cartridges without ever leaving your home or office. You can sign up to participate on the InkDrop registration page on the company's website. While there is no charge to participate in the program, but you will need to enter your credit card number so that the replacement cartridges that are shipped to you can be billed to your account.
When you become an InkDrop participant, you will need to place an order for a new ink cartridge. You will receive a prepaid shipping envelope with your purchase. Simply place the toner cartridge that you are replacing in the envelope and drop it in the mail. You will receive a replacement cartridge, which will be billed to your credit card, before the one you are currently using runs out. This will continue as long as you stay enrolled in the program. You'll never have to worry about running out of ink again, and you can be confident that your empty toner containers are being reused or disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.
Staples is not the only office supply store that operates accepts toner cartridges for recycling. Contact the stores where you prefer to purchase office supplies to find out whether or not they accept cartridges for recycling. Inquire about program details so that you can make an informed decision about which option is best for you.
Selling Used Toner Cartridges
There are a number of companies that purchase used toner cartridge. Some of these companies specialize in fundraising programs for non -profit organizations, while others are also happy to purchase items from individuals and traditional businesses. While these types of companies may provide a great way for consumers to avoid throwing away empty cartridges while earning extra money, it's important to fully investigate the terms and conditions of any program you are considering participating in.
Companies that purchase used toner cartridges will only purchase units that they can re-sell at a profit. They are not likely to take every cartridge, particularly those that have already been refilled several times or that are designed for use in older printers. Additionally, the amount of money you will receive for cartridges that are accepted will vary based on model and condition. Be sure to read the fine print carefully so that you know exactly what to expect when participating in this type of program.
A few companies that operate used toner cartridge purchase programs are:
Do Your Part
With so many toner recycle program options available, there's no reason to let your empty printer ink and toner containers end up in the trash. No matter what recycling option you choose, your decision to recycle can certainly make a difference!
