Printers need to be replaced for several reasons. Maybe yours produces poor print quality, experiences frequent breakdowns, or doesn’t have all the features you’re looking for. Perhaps you’re just not using it enough to justify owning it.
Whatever your reason, getting rid of an old printer can be tough. They can’t be thrown away in the dumpster, and there isn’t much of a market for older models. We’re here to help you figure out how to dispose of your device.
Let’s explore four options and find out which one is best for you.
Why Does Proper Printer Disposal Matter?
Electronic waste lets out harmful pollutants that have detrimental effects on the environment. Electronics aren’t biodegradable and can pollute the soil with toxic chemicals.
Printers are considered e-waste and can be harmful to people and the environment if they’re disposed of in a landfill. They contain hazardous chemicals like lead and mercury that can seep into groundwater and cause significant damage to the environment.
While rehoming your old printer guarantees that no e-waste is produced, eventually, it’ll have to be disposed of. The best way to keep e-waste at a minimum is to recycle your electronics.
Improper disposal of e-waste can also result in fines. Many states, including California, implement e-waste regulations to prevent irresponsible disposal of e-waste.
What Is the Best Way To Dispose of a Printer?
How To Recycle an Old Printer
Before recycling your old printer, you’ll need to prep it. Disconnect cables, remove ink cartridges and paper, and ensure you haven’t left valuable items like SD cards or documents behind. You may even perform a factory reset to ensure none of your personal information was left stored on the device.
There are several options for recycling your printer. You can take your device to a recycling center, though you should call ahead to ensure they accept electronics. Taking your printer to a recycling center ensures all the materials are separated and recycled properly.
- E-Stewards is a global initiative designed to ensure the proper handling and disposal of electronics.
- Earth911 works similarly in that it finds recycling programs for the item you’re looking to dispose of. Simply enter the item you want to recycle—in this case, “printer”—and your zip code and find nearby locations that will accept your item.
- Best Buy recycles all types of e-waste. You can drop off your printer in person or by mail and even receive a discount on a new one if you want to upgrade. They also accept ink and toner cartridges.
- Staples accepts old printers for recycling, as well as ink and toner cartridges. You can drop it off in person or even send it in by mail.
Still not sure where to take your printer for recycling in the Bay Area? Nixxit makes it easy by picking up your old electronics and ensuring they are disposed of responsibly.
How To Donate an Old Printer
If your printer still works, then someone else can use it. Donating your used electronics is useful as it prolongs their lives and prevents e-waste from being produced. Thrift stores and other donation centers may accept electronics. Ensure your device still works, or else they won’t take it.
- Participating Goodwills will accept electronics in good condition. Contact your local community centers and schools to see if they need a printer.
- Digitunity is a site that allows you to see local organizations that need certain equipment, including printers. Simply enter your zip code and radius to find an organization that needs a printer.
How To Sell an Old Printer
If your printer is in near-perfect condition and still relatively new, you may be able to sell it. Post your device on online marketplaces and be upfront about its condition. Conduct a factory reset to ensure that any personal data is wiped off the device.
How to Trade In an Old Printer
Most major manufacturers offer a recycling or trade-in program. Contact your printer’s manufacturer to find out if your product is eligible for their program. These programs not only help you dispose of your old device responsibly but also allow you to upgrade to a newer model.
- Best Buy offers a trade-in discount for your old printer. If you want to upgrade your current setup, you can turn in your old one and get credit toward a new one.
- Office Depot will take your old printer and give you a discount on a new one. They also accept used ink and toner cartridges and give you cash back on qualifying purchases.
Need Help with Electronics Removal in the Bay Area, CA?
Nixxit Junk Removal can help with your electronics removal needs in the Bay Area.
- Fully Licensed and Insured
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Full-Service Removal and Sorting
- Donation and Recycling
What To Do Before Getting Rid of an Old Printer
1. Remove Ink Cartridges
Ink cartridges cannot be recycled with the rest of the printer, so you’ll need to remove them before disposing of your device. They can be recycled separately, or you can keep them for another printer.
If you’re selling your printer, you can throw in the ink cartridges as an added incentive to buy. Just remember to be honest about their condition.
2. Remove Paper
Paper needs to be recycled separately. However, unused printer paper is worth holding onto. You can save it for your future printer or donate it to schools or offices.
3. Remove Personal Items
Remove any memory or SD cards from the printer. These small disks are very easy to forget about but can contain a lot of personal information.
Also, ensure that no documents are left behind in the scanner tray. Scanned documents are often important—especially if they’re birth certificates or diplomas—and losing them could be very troublesome.
4. Perform a Factory Reset
Performing a factory reset will ensure no personal data is left on the printer. Returning your device to its factory settings is important, even if it’s being recycled. The option to revert to factory settings should be in your printer’s settings. Consult the manual for instructions.
5. Disconnect Cables
Remove the cables from the printer before disposing of it. These cables cannot be recycled with the device and must be disposed of separately. If you’re selling your printer, make sure to keep these cables and provide them to the buyer.
6. Destroy the Hard Drive
If you’re disposing of your printer, you could open it up and physically destroy the hard drive. Doing so will completely erase all of its stored data.
7. Remove the Printer from your Computer Settings
Go to your computer’s settings, Printers and Scanners section, and remove your old device. Now, you won’t have to worry about your jobs being sent to the wrong printer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Printer Hold Any Personal Information?
Printers do not hold personal information, but they can store the memory of scanned documents. So, if you’ve scanned a license or credit card, that information can be stored on the printer. To protect sensitive information, erase your printer’s memory in the settings or restore it to its factory settings.
Do Printers Keep a History of What Was Printed?
Most modern printers have a temporary memory of what is printed, but they clear that memory once the print job is complete. You can also delete the print history to ensure nothing sensitive has been saved.
Are Printers Safe To Throw Away?
No, printers are not safe to throw away. They are considered e-waste and are hazardous to both people and the environment. Improper disposal of electronics can seep harmful chemicals into the environment. The only way to dispose of them safely is by recycling them.
Need Help With Printer Removal in the Bay Area, CA? We Can Help.
Responsibly disposing of your old printer ensures the harmful effects on the environment are minimized. Donating or selling your device can prolong its life, but only recycling will minimize its impact on the environment once it needs to be disposed of.
Nixxit can take your old electronics off your hands. We can find new homes for your devices that are in good condition and responsibly dispose of those that no longer work. At Nixxit, we value sustainability and do everything we can to minimize our impact on the environment. Book online today or visit us to learn more about our printer recycling services.
