eCycle Your Old Inkjet Printer

According to a University of Michigan study on the life cycle of an inkjet printer, we can expect a printer to last about three years and print a total of 7500 pages over its useful life. With prices for inkjet printers dropping below the cost of replacement ink cartridges in some cases, we can only expect the inkjet printer’s life to be cut even shorter.  If printers become disposable, what to do with mounting numbers of discarded printers?

Electronics make up only 14% of the total weight of an inkjet printer, but these components contain hazardous e-waste. Even very small amounts of lead, mercury and copper are enough to contaminate soil and drinking water when inkjet printers and other electronic devices are disposed of in landfills.

Governments, manufacturers and environmentally concerned consumers recognize the importance of eCycling (recycling of electronics) and have formed partnerships to make it easier for the consumer to find alternatives to the garbage can and the basement.

Here are three eCycle options to consider when your inkjet printer has reached the end of its life:

Donate it or trade it.

Many organizations will accept working printers, so check with local schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations. Some schools collect printers, computers and ink cartridges as part of their fundraising program. Also, try freecycle.com, a social network of over 5 million individuals who have  brought the old adage, someone’s trash is another’s treasure, to market. Log on and see if there is a group operating near you where you can post your printer for free.

Send It Back

Check your printer’s manufacturer or local retail store for the availability of aneCycle program. Some retailers periodically offer coupons on new purchases of specific products when you bring your old printer in for recycling. Dell offers a program online where you can schedule a pick-up for your old electronics for a reasonable fee. Apple, HP, IBM, and Gateway all have product-take-back programs where you may return your computer and printer for processing, eCycling and proper disposal for a small fee.

eCycle

Countries such as Japan and members of the European Union have regulations governing hazardous waste and have established uniform programs to reduce electronic waste through eCycling. The UK has established Household Waste and Recycling Centres separated into the 5 groups: large household items like washing machines, and microwaves, white goods including refrigerators and freezers, TVs and monitors, gas discharge lamps, and all other electrical goods including printers, computers and cell phones.  In the United States, consumers should check with their local and state governments for eCycling programs. California enacted mandatory cell phone recycling program, which requires cell phone retailers to include a system to collect and reuse, recycle or properly dispose of cell phones at no charge to the customer. Look in your location for similar programs.

As electronic waste grows at a rate of 5% annually, eCycling becomes increasingly important. When it’s time to replace your printer, dispose of your old inkjet printer properly, and take a look at our review of the best inkjet printers available on the market