Don’t Throw Cartridges in the Bin
Printer cartridges are one of the most commonly improperly disposed of e-waste items. It’s easy to see why. They’re small, they feel like consumables rather than electronics, and when the printer says “replace cartridge,” the instinct is to swap the old one out and bin it. But printer cartridges, both inkjet and laser toner, should never go in your general waste or recycling bin. They contain plastics, metals, electronic components, and residual ink or toner that make them genuine e-waste.
The good news is that printer cartridges are among the easiest e-waste items to recycle, with multiple convenient collection options available across Australia.
Why Cartridges Need Recycling
Inkjet cartridges contain a mix of plastic housing, electronic print head components, copper contacts, and residual ink. The ink itself contains various chemicals including solvents and pigments that shouldn’t enter landfill. Many inkjet cartridges also contain small circuit boards and chips that monitor ink levels and communicate with the printer.
Laser toner cartridges are more complex. They contain a plastic housing, a photosensitive drum (often containing selenium or other materials), magnetic rollers, wiper blades, gears, springs, and residual toner powder. Toner powder is a fine plastic dust that can be an inhalation hazard and shouldn’t be released into the environment.
Beyond the environmental reasons, there’s a strong economic case for recycling cartridges. Many cartridges can be refilled and reused multiple times, and even those that can’t be reused have recoverable materials. The plastics, metals, and engineering-grade components in cartridges have value when properly separated and processed.
Where to Recycle Cartridges
Cartridges 4 Planet Ark (formerly Close the Loop) operates Australia’s largest cartridge recycling program with free collection bins at thousands of locations including Officeworks, Australia Post, and many office supply retailers. Simply drop your empty cartridges into the collection box next time you visit. They accept most brands of inkjet and toner cartridges.
Officeworks stores accept empty cartridges through their in-store recycling bins. This is convenient for both home users and businesses that regularly purchase supplies from Officeworks anyway.
Manufacturer programs. Most major printer manufacturers operate their own cartridge return programs. HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, and others provide free return options, usually through prepaid mailing labels or designated drop-off locations. Check your cartridge manufacturer’s website for their specific program details.
Office supply deliveries. Some office supply companies will collect empty cartridges when delivering new ones. If your business has a regular supply account, ask whether cartridge collection is included in the service.
Handling Toner Cartridges Safely
Toner cartridges require slightly more care than inkjet cartridges because of the fine toner powder they contain:
Keep the cartridge sealed. When you remove a spent toner cartridge from the printer, place it in a plastic bag or the packaging from its replacement. This prevents residual toner from spreading.
Don’t shake or open the cartridge. Toner powder is extremely fine (5-10 microns) and becomes airborne easily. Inhaling toner dust is an irritant and should be avoided. If toner spills, clean it up with a damp cloth rather than vacuuming, as standard vacuum cleaners can spread the fine particles further.
Store used cartridges in a dry place until you take them to a recycling point. Moisture can cause toner to clump and make recycling more difficult.
Can Cartridges Be Refilled?
Many cartridges can be professionally refilled and reused, which is even better for the environment than recycling because it avoids the energy and materials needed to manufacture a new cartridge. However, there are some considerations:
Quality varies. The quality of refilled cartridges depends heavily on the refilling service. Poor-quality refills can leak, produce lower print quality, or cause printer damage. Use reputable refilling services with good reviews.
Not all cartridges are refillable. Some manufacturers design cartridges with chips that prevent refilling or with components that degrade after one use cycle. Check whether your specific cartridge model is suitable for refilling.
Manufacturer warranties. Some printer manufacturers claim that using refilled or third-party cartridges voids the printer warranty. Under Australian Consumer Law, a manufacturer cannot void a warranty simply because you used compatible consumables, as long as the consumable didn’t actually cause the fault. But this remains a grey area that makes some businesses cautious about refilled cartridges.
For Businesses: Managing Cartridge Waste
Businesses that go through significant volumes of printer cartridges should set up a systematic collection and recycling process:
Place a collection box near each printer or copier. Make it easy for staff to deposit empty cartridges rather than throwing them in the general waste.
Arrange regular collection. For offices with high print volumes, arrange periodic pickups through your office supplies provider or a cartridge recycling service. Most programs offer free collection above certain volumes.
Track volumes for sustainability reporting. If your organisation reports on waste diversion or ESG metrics, cartridge recycling provides a simple, quantifiable data point. Count the number of cartridges recycled per quarter or year.
Consider managed print services. Many managed print providers include cartridge recycling as part of their service, handling supply, collection, and recycling of consumables alongside printer maintenance. This removes the administrative burden from your team.
Recycling printer cartridges is one of the simplest and most accessible e-waste recycling actions available. With collection points at most office supply stores and free return programs from major manufacturers, there’s genuinely no reason for cartridges to end up in landfill. It takes minimal effort and makes a meaningful difference.
EWV helps Victorian businesses manage e-waste and IT asset disposal compliantly and sustainably — including collection, certified data destruction, and recycling. Contact us for a free quote.