Studies conducted into the fate of the UK’s used printer cartridges show that as few as 5% - 10% of empty cartridges are recycled every year. Taking the best estimate, this means over 55,000,000 used ink cartridges either end up in a landfill site or are incinerated every year and that’s just in the UK alone!

When you consider the materials in the average printer ink cartridge (petroleum based plastic products) will take an average of 1,000 years to decompose, that’s a big burden on our environment. Consider too, that most of those cartridges can be recycled, refilled or remanufacturered and used again, then that’s a huge waste of resources and unecessarily polluting.

Recycling used inkjet cartridges can not only help reduce the amount of used ink cartridges filling our dump sites, but can also make money for you or for a charity of your choice.

Yes, you can make money and get paid to recycle old printer ink cartridges.

There are many UK printer ink recycling companies who will buy your used toner cartridges for cash, refurbish them and sell those remanufactured ink cartridges back to consumers. On average, a used toner cartridge can be refurbished and refilled up to 6 times before it must be thrown away, or better still, recycled into its component parts by a cartridge recycling company.

Click here to Get Paid To Recycle Used Ink Cartridges In The UK
Click here to Earn Money Recycling Ink Cartridges In The USA

This is a great deal for you because it means you can earn money by recycling your ink cartridges and toner cartridges, getting a little money back on the exhorbitant prices ink cartridge manufacturers charge for their product (did you know printer ink is more expensive than fine champagne? crazy!) and great for the environment because the more of those millions (worldwide, predicted billions!) of ink cartridges recycled the more we reduce waste products clogging up our environment.

In addition, because these companies refurbish refill and resell ink cartridges at a lower price than the manufacturers themselves, you can get a great deal on printer ink from these companies and their partner sites too. Be aware, some printer manufacturers will claim their printer warrantee is voided if you buy used cartridges but if your printer is out of warrantee already, or you think as most of us do, these companies are full of hot air, then getting a great discount on printer ink by buying remanufactured used inkjet cartridges and print toners makes a lot of sense.

It is estimated that a toner cartridge takes from 1.5 to 3.5 litres of oil, per cartridge to produce. Take into account how one study estimates there will be 2 billion printer cartridges sold across the world in 2010…that’s a lot of oil which could be better used elsewhere. The amount of non-recycled toner cartridges dumped each year in the UK alone amount to more oil wastage than the 11 million gallons dumped into the environment by the Exxon Valdez tanker disaster. The next time gas and petrol prices spike due to demand supposedly outstripping supply, remember how recycling can help lower the demand on oil based products like ink toners.


Used Ink Cartridge Recycling and Remanfacturing Sites - UK Companies

The following ink cartridge recycling companies will pay you to recycle your used ink cartridges. Check out the list of cartridges they accept as not all sites accept all types of ink cartridges (Epson inkjet cartridges are notoriously hard to get rid of as they contain few recyclable parts) and whether there is a minimum amount of cartridges you can send to them. Don’t send them cartridges which are not on their list of requests as these will not earn you any money and wastes their time and yours.

envirofone.com - cash for your old mobile

Ink Cycle - pays up to £5 for your used ink cartridges which they will then remanufacture and put back into circulation. Ink Cycle will currently recycle the following types of ink cartridges: HP, Canon, Lexmark, Dell, Apple, Epson, Brother, Ricoh, Samsung, Panafax, Xerox, Olivetti and all other types of ink cartridge with fixed print heads. Ink Cycle can only accept working cartridges, broken ink cartridges are not accepted here.

Inks Links - Sell your empty cartridges for cash at Inks Links. Follow the instructions and check out the list of ink cartridges they are looking for. No damaged or broken ink cartridges can be recycled here.

Ink Save - get paid for working ink cartridges here. Their recycling program wants several types of ink cartridges. Check the list and the instructions before sending your cartridges to them.

Empty Cartridge - buys your used ink cartridges and laser toners in larger quantities. Be sure to read their site carefully as they are only collecting certain types of cartridge and will charge for the disposal of any which you send them which are not on their list of wants. Also, there is a minimum quantity of cartridges they’ll accept here, so you’ll need to be able to send a bulk amount to be able to use them. Again, check carefully what their requirements are for quantities too.

turning your old mobiles into cash!


Empty Printer Cartridge and Toner Refurbishing Websites - USA Companies

The following North American ink cartridge recycling companies will pay cash for cartridges, at least the ones they accept. Check the list of cartridges they want before sending them or you will just be wasting your time and theirs.

Free Recycling - Pays you cash for recycling ink cartridges and also encourages you to tell your friends by offering a 20% commission on anything they recycle too! Free Recycling pays you up to $3.60 per recycled cartridge with over 135 used cartridges in demand. Free shipping to the site.

Recycling Printer Ink Cartridges For Charity

A great way to raise money for charity, is to collect and recycle ink cartridges. These toner cartrdge recycling companies can be a great fundraising tool for schools, church groups, charitable organisations and just about any other groups which needs to raise money. Collect bulk lots of cartridges from your members, donors and businesses and send them in to reap the cash rewards.

You can also donate your used ink cartridges to many different charities online or, if there is a drop off centre near you, simply call in with your ink cartridge donation.

Cash For Cartridges - Raise money recycling inkjet cartridges for your school, charity etc. No toner cartridges accepted here.

123 Ink Cartridges - this company has a recycling program which donates to charity. Follow the instructions on their recycling page and send your used empty ink cartridges to the address they provide.