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Introduction
A printer is a valuable addition to any home or office. It can print, scan and copy all your important documents. The problem is What to do with an old printer after you upgrade? There are many options. It’s time to get rid of your old printer.
It is important to ask: How can you do it responsibly?
The answer is printer recycling.
Consider all the costs involved in starting a business. Refurbishing an old printer can save you a lot of money.
Importantly, the printer can be disposed of responsibly so that toxic substances don’t leach into the environment.
Today we will discuss recycling printers so that you can also be an environmentally conscious citizen and dispose of them in a sustainable manner.
Are all types of printers recyclable?
Yes, printers can be recycled.
A lot of people are unaware of the possibility of recycling their printer parts before beginning looking for ways to dispose of them. It was surprising to find that all types of printers and parts can be recycled.
Recyclable printers are:
- Solid ink printers
- Laser printers
- Mobile printers
- 3D printers
- Dot-matrix printers
- Large-format
- inkjet printers
The bottom line is that all printers can be recycled. There’s no reason not to. Let’s discuss why you should recycle your printer.
Why should you recycle your old printer responsibly?
The primary reason you should recycle your printer is because…
Printers are E-waste
E-waste refers to electronic products that have passed their useful life expectancy. This includes, among others, computers, televisions, cell phones, and mp3 players.
Many components of e-waste products contain harmful substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. These substances can be harmful to the environment and people. These substances can be leaked into the ground, and pollute water streams and ecosystems for many generations.
They can also cause brain, liver, and kidney disease and impact our nervous system and reproductive systems.
In the US, there are approximately 70,000,000 computers. This is just computers. Think about all the electrical appliances that we use every day.
It is shocking to note that e-waste, which is the fastest-growing municipal waste stream in the US is and only 12.5% is being recycled today.
Where can I recycle my printer?
One of the quickest and convenient ways to get rid of an old printer is to recycle it at a retailer like Best Buy. They often have labeled recycle bins in the store, so you can just drop off your printers in the designated bin.
Other popular retailers that have a recycling program include:
- Target
- Staples
- Office Depot
Therefore, the best way to recycle an old printer is to simply first check with local major retailers. If they sell printers, they also likely offer a printer recycling program. Last I checked, Best Buy didn’t charge any disposal fees either.
If you don’t have any major retailer in your local area or any offering this service, just grab your local phone book or try YellowPages.com to search for recycling services near you. Most recycling companies will take your old printer, but expect to potentially pay a recycling / e-waste disposal fee.
This post was written by Steven Elia Co-Founder and Recycling Director at https://ecycleflorida.com/. eCycle Florida is an R2 Certified electronics recycling company in the state of Florida. Our processes and procedures are dedicated to the proper destruction and recycling of your electronics. eCycle Florida is your go-to when looking for an electronic recycling center in Tampa.
