Empty toner cartridges

[RepairingDave]

I was wondering if anyone knows what to I should do with an toner cartridge or 3?

I have been advised my current supplier to put them in the 'normal' bin (which was vague).

As they are made out of recyclable plastic (PET) I feel that they should be recycled or refilled.

If I were to put them in the domestic recycling, should they be washed first? - and would washing pose any danger to myself or the environment from the components which the toner is made up from?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

If I were to put them in the domestic recycling, should they be washed first? - and would washing pose any danger to myself or the environment from the components which the toner is made up from?

There are companies which will accept them for refilling. To dispose of them, just put them in a tough plastic bag, and put them in the normal waste. Toner is heat sensitive, set by heat, so never wash clothes in hot water, if you spill toner on them, it will set permanently on them. One compartment in the toner unit, collects waste toner, and so empty, will not actually be empty.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Our local authority take them in the recycling apparently.

 

[RepairingDave]

I don't know what happens any waste toner, but I don't that there is any as it just looks like a plastic bottle which is shaped to allow it to be twisted by the photocopier.

They are this type:

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[Tigercubrider]

At work, they are collected in cardboard deposit boxes and recycled.
Because it’s a big site, we actually have the Kyocera photocopier people based on site.
I would guess that local governments have bins at the dump?

 

[JohnD]

Recycling Locator | Recycle Now

Find your local recycling centre with our recycling locator tool. Find out where and how to recycle a specific item, either from home or a local centre.

www.recyclenow.com

 

[RepairingDave]

Unfortunately, the nearest recycling centre that accepts them is 15 miles in a direction I don't often travel!

 

[robinbanks]

various places accept toner cartridges freepost and donate to charity. Google for "charity waste toner" and have a look at options convenient for you

 

[RepairingDave]

various places accept toner cartridges freepost and donate to charity. Google for "charity waste toner" and have a look at options convenient for you

Thanks.
I've had a look at a couple. Unfortunately, the type I have are 'bottles' that "these no significant electronics or mechanical parts and no value once empty as they are just hoppers for toner powder"

 

[robinbanks]

Ah, when you said "cartridge" I was thinking of the more complex devices with a roller

Sounds like they should just go in the plastics recycling then, unwashed..

 

[evdamadiynot]

Tesco have cartridge reycling bins
I often see toner bottles and cartriges collected there