Cartridge recycling | Recycle cartridges | Toner recycling

Recycle Your Ink & Toner Cartridges

Nationwide Recycling for inkjet cartridges by Hewlett Packard, Lexmark & Dell.

Simply return your empty inkjet cartridges in the FREEPOST envelope provided with your order. If you do not receive a FREEPOST envelope with your order or require additional envelopes please call 01234 713137 and we will send them to you.

Free Local Collection Service for all makes of ink and toner cartridges.

Inkjet cartridges, toner cartridges, whether originals, remanufactured or compatible, are accepted. There is no minimum amount of cartridges that can be recycled.

If you are a regular customer the easiest way to do this is to store up* your old toner and ink cartridges and they will be collected when we deliver your new order. If this is not convenient and you need to dispose of your old cartridges before this, then just call 01234 713137 to arrange a convenient pick up time.

Whenever possible please return inkjet cartridges in their original boxes and toner cartridges in their original plastic/foil anti-static bags. We prefer it if you recycle the cardboard packaging from the toner cartridges yourself. At the present time we cannot recycle photocopier cartridges, refill bottles and kit parts, conductor, fuser units, imaging units and print ribbons.

Please have consideration for the collector and ensure there are no leakages. Try to arrange for cartridges to be collected from the ground floor reception area or goods in/out area and are packed in manageable-sized boxes weighing less than 15kg per box.

How can I get money back for my old cartridges?  

If you live within the local area we can take money off of your next order for selected cartridges. Many Canon, HP, Lexmark, Dell Samsung cartridges will earn you money off your next purchase.

Unfortunately, we cannot do this for other areas, at the moment, as the post and packing costs make this prohibitive. We do however supply FREEPOST envelopes so that you can return your cartridge to a recycling centre at no cost to yourself.

Where is the local area?

We are based in Olney and collect empties from the local area between Northampton, Bedford & Milton Keynes. Listed below are some of the places that are in our free collection zone. If you live somewhere that is not listed but is close by, please call for more information or to arrange for a collection to be made.

Olney, Emberton, Clifton Reynes, Petsoe End, Sherington, Filgrave, Tyringham, Gayhurst, Lathbury, Newport Pagnell, Little Linford, Old Haversham, Haversham, Great Linford, Willen, Broughton, Moulsoe, North Crawley, Chichely, Cranfield, Astwood, Stagsden, Hardmead, Newton Blossomville, Stevington, Turvey, Cold Brafield, Carlton, Harrold, Odell, Lavendon, Bozeat, Warrington, Castle Ashby, Yardley Hastings, Easton Maudit, Grendon, Wollaston, Strixton, Denton, Horton, Hackleton, Stoke Goldington, Hartwell, Hanslope, Castlethorpe, Ravenstone, Weston Underwood.

What happens to my cartridges?

They will be sent to the most appropriate center for recycling or disposal. Remember, we take the hassle out of recycling for you!

Recycling Tips

Don't stop at recycling ink and toner cartridges alone.

• Re-use the back of the paper you print on whenever possible or recycle when not.
• Confidential documents should always be shredded but why not be even more green by adding shredded household documents to your compost!
• Businesses may wish to re-use shreddings as protective packaging. See SHREDDERS for more info.

Why recycle?

1. The cartridges are often re-used and therefore do not end up in landfill sites and incinerators which damage the environment.
2. Up to six pints of oil can be used to produce one ink cartridge. Re-using the cartridge helps to reduce this, so even if you do not buy remanufactured cartridges yourself you can still help the environment by recycling and alllowing someone else too.
3. Plastic, used to make the casing of an ink cartridge, takes 130 years and more to breakdown!
4. Don't forget to recycle the packaging (a quarter of all household waste is packaging).
5. You may even get money off your next order!

How green is my valley?

Nowadays most of us probably think we are quite green. We use the blue and red recycling boxes to recycle regularly. We use the green wheelie bins for garden waste. It is so much more convenient than filling up the car with garden rubbish and heading for the tip. We send our unwanted clothes, books, etc. to our favourite charity shops. Maybe we are even thinking about energy efficient kitchen appliances and cars. Perhaps even car sharing from time to time.

Many of us are shopping locally, cutting down the use of fuel and car related pollution, re-using our carrier bags, walking the children to school and walking to the shops. All good exercise! And, when we are hot and glowing from all that exercise, taking a shower instead of a bath. Then of course there is the garden compost heap instead of commercial fertiliser, growing your own food; the subject is endless!

Working in the green valley

For many of us the workplace is the office but are we still as efficiently green there? Even if you are working away in the spare bedroom then you can still do more to improve your environment.

A few of us run paperless offices but this is not always practical, as many people still require hard copies. Let's face it; a lot of the joy of working on the computer comes from printing out the end result. Nevertheless, it is quite shocking to read about the damage that such a seemingly harmless activity such as printing can do.

The hard facts about printing:

1. Over 60 million inkjet cartridges are used each year and an estimated 10% to 15% are recycled. That means approximately 57 million cartridges are thrown into landfill sites or incinerated.
2. Incineration of cartridges causes more waste because they need a minimum amount of rubbish to operate. Smoke, gas and ash from incinerators contains harmful chemicals such as dioxins, which are said to be a cause of cancer.
3. Landfill waste releases toxins, polluting liquids, and gases, causes odours and attracts pests.
4. Up to 3 pints or 1.4 litres of oil, some sources say up to 6 pints, can be used in the production of just one ink cartridge. That is a whole barrel of oil used for every 50 cartridges. One barrel of oil makes approximately 20 gallons, or nearly 91 litres, of petrol!
5. Plastic used in the casing of ink cartridges takes thousands of years to decompose. The best way to prevent this is to recycle your cartridge so that it can be re-used.
6. Last but not least don't forget the packaging. One quarter of the average contents of the household bin is packaging. Much of this could be recycled. This includes the packaging for ink and toner cartridges. Most household recycling schemes will recycle card for you. [The above facts were taken from various sources. Figures do vary slightly between sources so please take them as a general guide only.]

10 easy tips for a greener office:

1. Recycle your ink and toner cartridges.

2. If there is a remanufactured cartridge available for your printer then why not try one? Unfortunately, these are rarely available for new printers, as there has to be a stock of old cartridges before manufacturers can re-fill them. If you prefer to stick with the original cartridges then do not despair, that is your choice, but you can still be part of the cycle. By re-cycling you make cartridges available to be refilled for those who do use remanufactured cartridges.

3. If you have time why not try refilling your own cartridges? A cartridge can be refilled up to six times. Provided you organise yourself before you start and protect your work area, this is easy to do.

4. Only print what you need, print double-sided if possible. Re-use the back of unwanted printed sheets for rough paper or children's artwork.

5. Documents can be shredded and used for protective packaging, but be sure to take care that the documents are finely shredded if they are confidential as someone with patience could reconstruct them!  Paper shreddings can also be added to the compost heap to help with aeration.  Add a layer of vegetation then a layer of shreddings. Ideal if you work from home.

6. Re-use polystyrene packaging by tearing it into tiny pieces and using it, instead of rubble, to improve drainage in the bottom of planters and tubs. Again great for home workers.

7. Re-use envelopes and jiffy bags by using re-usable labels.

8. Buy rulers, pens and pencils made from re-cycled plastic. RSPB shops have a good selection. Nigel's Eco Store (see other interesting websites below) also have a great range of green stationary and eco friendly office products, including water powered calculators, eco staplers and much more.

9. Brighten up a dull, dreary atmosphere, remove toxins and add oxygen by adding a few plants to your office. Not only will they improve the atmosphere they will also relieve stress by creating a green haven amongst all that paperwork! Ivy, Gerbera daisy, Peace lily, Spider plant and Mother-in-law's tongue are all good choices. They are known for removing common pollutants from the atmosphere.

10. Create your own green room. Ask your colleagues how they think the office could be greener and put some of the ideas into practice. Why not set up a green committee?

Take part in the “How green am I questionnaire?”

You need to buy some food for today's meal. What do you do?
A. Walk to the local shops to buy all you need.
B.  Jump in the car and drive to the local shops.
C. Jump in the car and travel to the out of town superstore.

When you go to the shop do you?
A. Take your own shopping bag.
B. Take an old carrier bag ready to re-use a few times.
C. Expect to get a new carrier bag each time you shop.

You have some old clothes that are perfectly good but you no longer wear. What do you do with them?
A. Give them to your local charity shop.
B. Leave them at the back of the wardrobe hoping you might wear them again one day.
C. Throw them in the dustbin.

On the subject of personal hygiene do you?
A. Nearly always take a shower.
B. Sometimes take a shower and sometimes a bath.
C. Always have a long, deep bath.

How much of your household rubbish do you recycle?
A. All paper, newspapers, magazines, glass and cans. You even compost vegetable waste, grass cuttings, tea bags etc.
B. You only recycle some of your newspapers, glass and cans.
D. You don’t recycle at all.

When writing a letter or paying a bill do you?
A. Re-use your old envelopes by sticking a label over the old address.
B. Nearly always recycle used envelopes.
C. Never give the envelopes you use a second thought.

When packing a lunch do you?
A. Use a re-usable container and fill it with as few packaged foods as possible.
B. Use a recyclable paper bag to hold the lunch.
C. Buy pre-packed food and throw the packaging in the bin without giving a thought to whether it is recyclable or not.

Answers

Mostly A's - Well done you are a real Eco Warrior, helping to improve the environment. Your valley is really green!

Mostly B's - You are doing your bit for the environment but with a little more effort you could really be dark green.

Mostly C's - Shame on you, you are not as green as you could be! Why not turn over a new leaf, a nice green one, and start by making a few small steps to improve the environment?

Interested in doing more?

If you are genuinely interested in improving your green rating then why not recycle your ink and toner cartridges. Simply contact The Ink and Toner Shop on 01234 713 137.
A free local collection service of all ink and toner cartridges is now available.

The Ink and Toner Shop’s aim is to re-cycle as many returned cartridges as possible. Cartridges will be sent to the appropriate recycling centre. In the event that a cartridge cannot be re-cycled it will be disposed of appropriately.

Remember, The Ink and Toner Shop takes the hassle out of recycling.

Other interesting websites:

WORLD WILDLIFE FUND               http://shop.wwf.org.uk/article/10

A GREAT ECO STORE                   http://www.nigelsecostore.com/

LOTS OF RECYCLING INFO            http://www.recyclenow.com/

LIFT SHARING                             https://www.liftshare.com/uk/

Websites just for kids:   

http://www.recyclezone.org.uk/home.aspx

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/greenballoonclub/

http://kids.nationalgeographic.co.uk/

http://www.charlieandlola.com/planet/planet-game.html

*Empty cartridges can still leak small amounts of ink so to reduce the likelihood of damage store them in a plastic bag or a box with old newspaper at the bottom, preferably in a safe area, until you are ready to order again or arrange for collection.