How to Dispose of a Multifunction Printer

As with most electrical equipment, your printer is fullcartridge or toner is empty you should also recycle
of plastics, components and potentially hazardousthis separately. Most cartridges come with recycling
materials. Therefore, when it comes to disposing ofinstructions, which often include an address or
your old multifunction printer it would be irresponsibleenvelope, so you shouldn't have too many issues
to simply throw it in the bin and consign it to landfillwhen it comes to getting rid of your superfluous ink.
purgatory.Of course if your ink cartridge is still partially full, you
What you really need to do is recycle it. Okay,may also need to look into either finding a company
recycling might take a little more effort, it may eventhat disposes of ink safely or transferring the
cost you a few pounds, but ultimately it is both acartridge to your new/remaining printer.
legal and moral obligation that we all share to ensureThe cost of disposing with your old multi-function
that we dispose of consumables in a way that isprinter is being driven down all the time. In fact you
protective of our environment.may even find that some services, including specialist
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipmentelectrical recycling sites, will take your it for free.
directive (WEEE) came into effect back in JanuaryThere are companies who will collect the redundant
2007. It governs the safe disposal of electrical itemsprinters, along with most other electronic devices;
and is managed by the Environment Agency in thethese will obviously charge a premium rate for their
UK. The WEEE directive ensures that manufacturersservices, but it will certainly remove much of the
conform with basic disposal and recycling codes, butinconvenience associated with recycling.
they also extend to businesses and evenThe recycling process can take many forms. Some
homeowners.components can often be salvaged and reused in
Essentially it's just about common sense. If you havemodels here or elsewhere in the world, helping to
something that isn't biodegradable and could beensure wastage is kept to a minimum. Others
harmful, then you have to find a responsible way ofelements though, such as your plastic casing, will be
disposing of it. To conform with the WEEE directive,melted down and used to remould other devices in
your business or household multifunction laser printerthe future. It is by no means a simple process, but it
needs to be properly recycled by a certified agency.is an essential one if we are to safeguard natural
Again, this might sound like a hassle, but it reallyresources and ensure our landfills aren't overloaded
shouldn't be.with hazardous materials that will never be broken
In fact most printer manufacturers will providedown.
recycling advice and information when you purchaseSo when you buy a new multi-function printer for
a new model or contact them regarding your currentyour home or business, always keep in mind how you
device. This may even include a low-price or evenwill dispose of your old equipment. The days of
complementary disposal service; although of coursesimply throwing them in a skip or including it within
this will vary across the various manufacturers andyour daily rubbish collection are long gone. The WEEE
models.directive has ensured that we are all accountable for
To properly dispose of a printer you also need tothe disposal of all the electronics that we purchase,
ensure that it is free from any additionalhelping to ensure a planet that is free from huge piles
consumables, which includes ink cartridges. If your inkof unwanted consumables.