» Recycling Guide
Unfortunately, not all cartridges can be reused to raise funds for good causes.
Anything not shown on our list of reusable cartridges must not be sent to our processing centre - these must instead be sent to other facilities for proper recycling.
Fortunately, we've put together this guide so you can ensure your cartridges are dealt with in an environmentally-appropriate manner. Most of these services are free, and easy to use.
1. Return to Manufacturer
This is the best solution for non-reusable cartridges. Many cartridge manufacturers have take-back schemes (often free) that will accept cartridges they manufactured in order to responsibly dispose of or reuse them.
As they made the cartridges, they know exactly what they're made of and how to recycle them appropriately and efficiently. Please note that you should only send them cartridges that they manufactured: not any compatible or refilled cartridges.
Epson
Epson's service collects most of their ink and laser cartridges.
N.B. You are not required to tick the box that says that your details can be used for marketing.
Hewlett Packard (HP)
This free service allows you to return most laserjet and inkjet cartridges that were made by HP.
Canon
Canon currently only accepts return of a very limited range of their cartridges. If, as we believe, you think they should offer a full, free takeback service, please provide feedback to them on this page.
Lexmark
Lexmark's service collects most of their ink and laser cartridges.
N.B. If requesting ink cartridge return bags, you are not required to tick the box that says that your details can be used for marketing.
Brother
Brother runs a free postal service for returning cartridges.
N.B. You are not required to tick the box saying that Brother may contact you in the future.
Samsung
Samsung take back their toner cartridges.
Oki
Oki offer a freepost service for low volumes of returns, and a collection service for more high-volume users.
Dell
Dell offers a postal return service for their ink and toner cartridges. Please contact Dell by email on Recycling_EMEA@dell.com
Xerox
Offer free postal return for most of their cartridges.
Konica Minolta
Accept returns of cartridges for some of their printers and office systems.
Sharp
I'm afraid Sharp do not run a recycling service that we know of. If you would like to contact them about this, please do so on this page.
Neopost
I'm afraid Neopost do not run a recycling service that we know of. If you would like to contact them about this, please do so on this page.
Toshiba
Toshiba offer a subsidised recycling service, in the form of their ECO BOX product. Please contact your Toshiba Supplier for details of this.
Ricoh
Ricoh offer a paid-for service via eRECO to recycle your print consumables. This service will take any toner cartridges. Visit them here.
2. Return to Your Supplier
Some suppliers of cartridges will offer to take back the empties - please ask the company you bought your cartridges from to see if this is something they can offer you.
3. Council Recycling Sites
Many local council civic amenity and recycling service sites have cartridge collection facilities that will take any kind of cartridge. These are normally free.
4. Charity Shops
Many charity shops have toner cartridge collection boxes, and will accept almost any variety of cartridges, because they can bundle them with other valuable cartridges.