How to Recycle Printers
Inkjet, laser, and all-in-one printers. Cartridges have their own take-back path. The printer body is e-waste at retail or municipal programs.
Quick answer
Pull ink or toner first and recycle cartridges through HP Planet Partners or office stores. Drop the printer at Best Buy (free) or Staples ($9.99; fee waived in CA, CT, IL, NC, NJ, NY, PA, RI). Wipe networked MFPs that store jobs. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Typical value
- Home printers are usually $0 at drop-off; working business units may resell
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Remove ink and toner cartridges; recycle them separately
- 2Remove paper from trays
- 3Disconnect cables and clear Wi-Fi settings on networked models
- 4On business MFPs, clear job history or remove internal storage
- 5Bag toner spills; avoid inhaling dust
Where to Recycle
- Best Buy (printers free, residential)
- Staples ($9.99 or waived in listed states)
- Dell Reconnect
- HP Planet Partners (hardware and cartridges)
- Municipal e-waste events
Special Instructions
Empty cartridges are not curbside plastics. Use HP Planet Partners, Staples, or other cartridge programs. Staples charges $9.99 per printer in most states and waives that fee in CA, CT, IL, NC, NJ, NY, PA, and RI. Best Buy lists printers free for residents.
Environmental Impact
Recycling recovers plastics and metals from the chassis. Empty ink and toner belong in cartridge take-back, not curbside plastics. Leaving toner loose in trash spreads dust and wastes remanufacture feedstock.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Donate working home printers to schools or nonprofits
- Return empty HP cartridges through Planet Partners for free mail-back or drop-off
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
Data Wipe & Security
- Reset network and Wi-Fi settings
- Clear stored fax/scan history if the menu allows it
- Remove hard drives or memory from business MFPs when present
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Inkjet and laser printers
- All-in-one printer/scanners
- Units with or without power cords
Not Accepted
- Open leaking toner dumped loosely
- Large commercial copiers without prior approval
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Estimated value: Home printers are usually $0 at drop-off; working business units may resell
Donation
- Local schools and nonprofits (working units)
Hazardous Components
- Toner dust (avoid inhaling)
- Lead solder on circuit boards
- Batteries in some wireless models
FAQs
What do I do with empty ink or toner?
Use HP Planet Partners, Staples cartridge recycling, or another maker program. Do not put empties in curbside plastics.
Why does Staples charge for printers?
Staples lists printers and MFPs at $9.99 each in most states. That fee is waived in CA, CT, IL, NC, NJ, NY, PA, and RI. Best Buy lists many printers free.
Can I recycle a non-HP printer through HP?
HP cartridge programs focus on Original HP supplies. For the printer body, use Best Buy, Staples, Dell Reconnect, or municipal e-waste. HP hardware take-back is oriented to HP equipment and volume rules.
Do home printers store personal data?
Most home inkjets store little. Business MFPs may keep jobs on internal storage. Clear history or remove drives before recycling those.
Related recycling guides
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