You can donate used printers to charities, which is a great way to get rid of old printers without having them end up in a landfill.
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Are you planning to buy a new printer? Are you thinking about getting rid of your old printer? There may be more alternatives for you than you think.
Perhaps your printer has broken down for good, or you've replaced it with a new model.
Whatever the reason, disposing of it responsibly means making sure it gets refurbished and put back into service or that its materials get recycled correctly.
As a matter of fact, there are several ways to dispose of printers responsibly so they don't contribute to environmental damage.
Whether donating, recycling or selling them for money, there are plenty of solutions for keeping these devices out of the dumpster. Please do the right thing before the inevitable end of its service life.
This post will discuss what to do with old printers and how to dispose of the machines safely.
Donate Used Printers to Schools and Charities
Donate your old, functioning printer instead of throwing it in the garbage.
Whether visiting the printer vendor to arrange for new equipment or hiring someone to upgrade or repair your laptop, you want to ensure that you’re handling this situation in such a way that helps the environment and leaves you with a working, up-to-date setup.
It is essential to realize that donating your printer or laptop provides schools, low-income families, and charities with the equipment they can't afford.
Remember that the printer is a valuable piece of equipment, not something to be thrown in the garbage.
Thus, proper disposal ensures that your printer won't end up in a landfill, where it may harm valuable ecosystems.
EPA researchers(Environmental Protection Agency) estimate that only 15 to 20 percent of e-waste is recycled, while the rest ends up in landfills or incinerators. You can help alter that by donating your printer and other electronic equipment.
Printers Can Store Data
When recycling or donating your printer, remove any sensitive information from the printer, such as a wireless network password.
Memory clearing won't necessarily destroy all the documents. Some printers can even save a record of the documents sent to be printed.
Be aware of the above if you intend to sell or donate used printers to any organization.
Image Source: World Computer Exchange
Help Others and Donate to a Good Cause
As the saying goes, what is another man's junk is another man's treasure. Printers are no exception to this rule.
Therefore, you can donate used printers to a local community center, school, senior facility, charity, or nonprofit organization.
Even if your printer has broken, you can still donate it. There are many charities and nonprofit organizations that accept nonworking electronics.
8 Places to Donate Used Printers and Save the Earth | |
|---|---|
1 | |
2 | Goodwill |
3 | Schools |
4 | Libraries |
5 | Senior Facility |
6 | Community Center |
7 | Charity |
8 | Nonprofit Organization |
12 Places To Recycle Your Printer Today | |
|---|---|
1 | Staples Recycling Services |
2 | Best Buy Recycling Program |
3 | H.P. Recycling Program |
4 | The World Computer Exchange |
5. | The National Cristina Foundation |
6 | Dell Reconnect Program |
7. | e-Stewards |
8 | Computers with Causes |
9 | Canon Recycling Programs |
10 | Oki Recycling Services |
11 | Epson's Recycling Program |
12 | Office Depot |
How to Save the Planet One Printer at a Time
Even if you’ve managed to maintain your computer or printer for longer than expected, it's inevitable that they will need an upgrade, which is why it's crucial to have a plan in place to handle this situation.
The world is overpopulated, and many people are trying to find ways to reduce their waste.
One of the simplest ways to do this is by donating used printers and other electronics to people in need or your community.
In general, donating is a great way to reuse items you no longer need and helps reduce clutter.
In addition, it's an excellent way to help the environment by reducing waste and preventing pollution.
Find Local Charities to Donate Used Printers
If you're looking for a local place to donate used printers, check out the Community Recycling Center or Environmental Protection Agency's drop-off locations in your area.
Many nonprofit organizations will take donations of all types, including printers. Separate all parts, including ink cartridges and paper trays, before putting them in the box or bag.
Don't limit yourself to donating only to schools, Goodwill, or other organizations; you can also reach out on social media or within your circle of friends to see if anyone can use your old printer.
Anywhere is better than the trash for your old technology. Thus, giving your used printers to charity is a great way to help those in need.
Many charities accept used items for reuse. Also, this is a great way to give back to the community and improve global welfare simultaneously.
So if you have any old electronics you no longer need, consider donating them so others can benefit.
Some institutions, such as schools or community centers, can still make good use of older devices.
Image Source: Epson's Recycling Program
Recycle Your Old Printers
Contact your local recycling center to see if they accept used printers.
Some office supply stores, such as Staples and Office Depot, have programs to recycle used printers.
Many device manufacturers have recycling programs. You might also look into buyback or upgrade programs offered by larger corporations.
For example, H.P. offers a recycling program for its printers.
Additionally, you may drop off your printer at a local big box store to recycle it. Some businesses may even offer a pickup service for your old technology.
You can find out where to drop off your used electronics or recycle them using a simple online search or speaking to your local waste collection organization.
Sell Your Printer and Get Some Cash
Before attempting to sell your printer, you should determine whether it is still worth anything. In particular, you may be able to recoup some of your investment if you sell your printer.
An advanced printer may feature wireless printing, multipurpose machines with scanners or faxes, and so on.
If your printer has this capability, you should not have difficulty selling it. Check with aftermarket vendors to find out what your printer is worth.
If you've concluded that your printer is worth a bit of money, locate a location where you can sell it.
You can probably sell your printer to a secondhand store. Also, you can consider selling used printers on websites like Craigslist.
Furthermore, it would help if you considered selling your used printer on social media marketplaces or auction-style websites like eBay.
Although it may take a bit longer and require more effort to sell your printer on an auction-style website, you may make more money once you sell the used printer.
Nevertheless, if you're planning to purchase a new printer, check with the company you buy from to see if they have any trade-in programs.
Printers Are Electronic Waste Items
Computer equipment that is no longer usable is known as e-waste. Cell phones, MP3 players, televisions, computers, and printers are all e-waste.
E-waste contains toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, lithium, and more.
Furthermore, these substances can pollute our water streams and ecosystems for generations as they seep into the ground and harm people and the environment.
All told, there are about 70 million computers in U.S. landfills, only computers. Think about all the other electrical items we use and throw away daily.
Support the Environment
Some states offer electronic waste recycling programs to help recycle printer components.
Similarly, responsible printer manufacturers and vendors have cooperated to make it simple to separate used machines and their electrical components from the waste stream.
One of the most popular is 'Recycle-it,' which connects people with a network of recycling centers across the country. It's a great way to both reduce waste and help the environment.
What to Look For in a New Printer
The price range is the first item to look at when purchasing a new printer. While there are many options available, it's crucial to find a printer that fits within your budget.
A good rule of thumb is to compare the price of the printer with its features.
Another factor to consider when buying a new printer is its size. Make sure that you can easily fit the machine into your workspace.
If your space isn't big enough to accommodate a large printer, then it's best to opt for a smaller model instead.
Other items to consider when purchasing a computer include printer quality, laser vs. inkjet, and ink vs. toner.
Printer Quality
You can think of printer image quality measured in dots per inch (DPI). Printers come in various models; some may have a different DPI setting than others.
Laser vs. Inkjet
Laser printers produce crisp documents with minimal ink usage and are often more expensive than Inkjet models.
At the same time, inkjet printers can generate a wide range of colors, often cheaper than Laser models.
Generally, printers are purchased according to the kind of printing they perform the most.
For example, if you print many documents, you will likely purchase a toner printer.
On the other hand, a printer that uses ink is likely to be desired by those who print many photos.
Image Source: National Cristina Foundation
In the Final Analysis
Printers are handy machines; they provide an efficient way to save, organize, and communicate. But unfortunately, printers also tend to collect dust and clatter around the home or office.
Perhaps the printer is just occupying space in your office or living room. That's why it's essential to find a way to dispose of them when they become unproductive or when you've upgraded to a better model.
Fortunately, there are several ways to help you sell, recycle or donate used printers safely and responsibly.
The key is to pick a charity that will make good use of it. Some charities need all types of supplies, so it's possible they would be happy to get your old printer and office paper, and other office supplies.
Likewise, many schools, libraries, and nonprofits will gladly take your used printers.
Moreover, the printers make great gifts for teachers and students alike!
Equally important, you can find a list of organizations that accept used printers and recycle them online at the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site.
A community-based environmental nonprofit organization may also take and recycle your donated printer.
Additionally, you can recycle them through programs like Recycle It, which collects old printers and sends them to recycling centers.
Finally, you can also sell used printers on websites like eBay or Craigslist.