Printer Cartridges

  • DON’T put printer cartridges into curbside recycling
  • DO consider dropping them off or mailing them into a recycling program (see below)

About These Items

These plastic ink and toner cartridges are used in home and business printers. You can’t recycle ink and toner cartridges in curbside Pittsburgh recycling, but there are a number of options for dropping off or mailing in these cartridges- see below.

Drop-off or Mail-in for Recycling.

There are a number of drop-off or mail-in programs for ink and toner cartridges and many of them offer up to $1-$2 back per cartridge in payments or rewards. These programs usually require that cartridges be undamaged.

Drop-off locally.

These are Pittsburgh-local businesses that will accept printer ink cartridges for recycling

  • Target: These stores have a set of recycling bins at the front of their stores, including one marked electronics, which will accept ink cartridges.
  • Staples: Recycles both ink and toner as part of their Staples’ Reward Program. This program gives money towards ink or toner purchases at Staples.
  • Office Depot: Recycles both ink and toner as part of their Office Depot Rewards Member program. This program gives a small amount of money back per cartridge, provided you also make a qualifying purchase at Office Depot during the same month.
  • Best Buy: Accepts up to 3 ink or toner cartridges per day per household. They specifically do not accept items from businesses or organizations. They offer a coupon for your next ink purchase at Best Buy as a reward.

Mail-in programs.

There are several national mail-in programs for ink and toner cartridges. Each has slightly different directions for shipping so be sure to read carefully before using these programs.

  • Costco: This ink and toner recycling program is mail-in only. They accept any empty inkjet and laser toner cartridges. Visit their site to get a pre-paid label. They require you send a minimum of 20 cartridges or 20 lbs at one time.
  • InkRecycling.org: Offers free shipping of printer cartridges and a small amount of money in exchange. Also offers a fundraising program for schools or organizations where they provide boxes and flyers for collection.
  • Evolve Recycling: Offers free shipping of inkjet and laser printer cartridges that are undamaged and not previously remanufactured. They require you send a minimum 20 cartridges or 20 lbs at one time. Pays a small amount per cartridge.
  • Toner Buyer: Offers free shipping of at least 8 toner cartridgers or at least 25 ink cartridges. Make sure to follow their detailed instructions. Pays a small amount per cartridge.

Do you know another service that accepts printer cartridges? Let us know!

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