How to Dispose of a Printer and Old Ink Cartridges

The short answer

1. Reset it to factory settings, then take out the cartridges and any paper.
2. Take the printer to an e-waste program: a county or city electronics drop-off, a retailer that takes printers, or the manufacturer's program. Many dumps keep electronics out of the trash pit.
3. Return the cartridges separately to a store drop-off or the brand's mail-back program. These are often free.

Checked October 2026. Programs, fees and accepted items change, and the rules where you live are the ones that count. Call your local solid waste office or the drop-off site before you go.

Before you let it go: data and donation

Many wireless and multifunction printers store your Wi-Fi network details and contacts, and some keep scan, fax or job history. Use the restore factory defaults option in the printer's menu or manual before it leaves the house.

If it still works, donating it keeps it in use longer. EPA's electronics donation and recycling page says donating and recycling electronics helps conserve resources, and stresses doing it safely and correctly. For a printer that's spent, read on.

Where to take the printer

• County or city e-waste collection. According to the Electronics Recycling Coordination Clearinghouse, 25 states have electronics recycling laws. What they cover varies, and in some states printers are included in free collection programs. Your county solid waste site will know. Dumpmapper's electronics guide explains the usual options.
• Retail drop-off. Staples' recycling page lists printers and multifunction devices at $9.99 each, with the fee waived in CA, CT, IL, NC, NJ, NY, PA and RI. It accepts ink and toner cartridges at no charge. Check store participation before you carry a heavy laser printer in.
• Manufacturer programs. Epson's recycling program lists participating stores for dropping off Epson hardware and ink, plus a mail-back option. Other brands run their own programs, so check your printer maker's website.

Don't leave a printer at the curb unless your hauler offers electronics pickup. Sites that ban e-waste from the pit can turn away a load with a printer in it. See electronics kept out of the trash pit. If the printer is going to the dump along with other trash, use the dump fee calculator to estimate the trash portion and ask about the e-waste charge separately.

Ink and toner cartridges

• Staples: accepts empty ink and toner cartridges in store. Its recycling page offers Easy Rewards members 500 points per cartridge, up to 6 cartridges and 3,000 points a calendar month, in store only, with exclusions.
• HP: HP Planet Partners accepts used original HP and Samsung cartridges for free. HP says it doesn't take other brands or refilled or remanufactured cartridges.
• Canon: Canon's toner take-back program lets you print a return label for Canon-brand toner cartridges and waste toner containers.
• Epson: its program accepts Epson ink and supplies at participating stores or by mail.

Bag leaking cartridges so the ink doesn't stain other items. If you're on an ink subscription, those cartridges usually have to go back in the provider's own envelope. HP's support page, for example, says Instant Ink cartridges are HP's property and have to be returned.

How to Dispose of a Printer and Old Ink Cartridges FAQ

Can I throw a printer in the trash?

Sometimes, but it's often not allowed. About 25 states have electronics recycling laws, and many dumps keep electronics out of the trash pit. Use an e-waste drop-off, retailer or manufacturer program instead.

Does Staples take old printers?

Staples' recycling page lists printers and multifunction devices at $9.99 each, with no fee in CA, CT, IL, NC, NJ, NY, PA and RI. Check with your local store first.

Where can I recycle ink cartridges for free?

Staples accepts ink and toner cartridges in store, and brand programs such as HP Planet Partners take back their own cartridges for free. HP accepts only original HP and Samsung cartridges.

Should I wipe my printer before recycling it?

Yes. Restore factory defaults to clear saved Wi-Fi settings, contacts and any stored scan or fax history.

Do I need to remove the cartridges first?

Yes. Take them out and recycle them separately through a cartridge program. Bag any that leak.

The bottom line

Reset the printer, recycle it through e-waste, and return the cartridges separately. Most of the cost is the printer fee, if your state charges one, and cartridges are usually free. Other small electronics go the same way. See the electronics guide and disposing of a microwave oven.