You may be wondering: can I throw away a printer? Let’s clear this up for you. You cannot throw your printer in the trash since it contains hazardous materials including lead, mercury, and cadmium that will damage the environment. These materials can leach into soil and nearby water supplies when not disposed of properly.
Printers are classified as e-waste and should be disposed of properly. Most areas have e-waste collection events or drop-off sites where you can recycle your former printer properly. Some electronics and office supply stores will take a printer off your hands for recycling and don’t charge for that.
Recycling your printer appropriately removes any hazardous parts from the waste stream so they are managed properly, and parts such as plastics and metals can create their new life. Using the time to properly recycle will also help the Texas environment and remain legal to not dispose of e-waste in a landfill.
Can you throw a printer in the trash?
Printers have hazardous components that can destroy the environment if they are discarded improperly. Most states and municipalities prohibit e-waste from being thrown in regular garbage.
Legal and Environmental Risk of Improperly Discarding Printers
It’s illegal to throw a printer in many states. Printers provide toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leach into soil and groundwater once it arrives at the landfill. These substances pose serious health risks to individuals living reasonably close (though not too close) to where this waste ends up.
While local regulations can vary, most major cities require electronic waste to be discarded separately from household trash. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States classifies printers as e-waste requiring careful disposal.
Businesses are subject to stricter laws than residences. Businesses can be liable if these printers are disposed of improperly, violating federal regulations such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Environmental Hazards of Electronic Waste
Printers left in landfills leach out harmful elements over time. The circuit board of the printer contains heavy metals and the ink cartridge contains chemical residues.
Further, when rainwater permeates through a landfill, it may come into contact with harmful chemicals creating “leachate,” a harmful liquid that contaminates groundwater. It takes just one printer to contaminate 1000s of gallons of water.
Wildlife is greatly affected by poor or improper e-waste disposal. Animals may consume plastic printer materials or be exposed to the toxins in the environment.
Air pollution from e-waste occurs when it is incinerated in an incinerator. The plastic parts produce dioxins, which break down in the atmosphere to create other harmful toxins.
Fines and Penalties for Improper Disposal
Fines for improperly disposing of a printer range from $100-$25,000 depending on your local jurisdiction and the extent of the violation. Businesses can incur much larger fines than individuals.
Some states have mandatory recycling laws with escalating fines for subsequent offenders. California, for example, can fine businesses $2,000/day for subsequent offenses. In addition to financial penalties, companies can run into:
- Required cleanup costs
- Legal fees
- Damage to their reputation
- Loss of environmental certificates
Enforcement has ramped up significantly. Municipalities have been blasting disposal sites with cameras and marking electronics to track them back to the source.
Proper Disposal of Printer
Printers have hazardous materials and electronic “stuff”, so they can only be succesfully disposed under the right conditions. But there are a variety of options that do environmentally friendly and are honest.
E-waste Recycling and e-Waste Collection Programs
Most municipalities will offer e-waste recycling programs specifically for printers and electronic devices. Local recycling centers will usually accept printers year round, while municipalities hold special collection events every couple of years.
Ask your municipality waste management website for drop off times and locations. Some municipalities will even stock-pick your e-waste printer when you make it request.
Counties have established permanent collection sites to where you can bring printers for disposal at no charge to residents. Commercial users may incur a small charge depending on volume.
Earth911.com and the EPA electronics recycling directory can help find certified gadgets recycling vendors in your area. e-waste recycling facilities take hazardous components (toner cartridges, circuit boards, batteries) and lawfully process them according to regulations and the EPA.
Certified recyclers mitigate environmental liability to safely dismantle printers, and an equivalent amount that would go to landfill of hazardous components encompassed within printers.
Manufacturer Take-back Programs and Retailer Programs
All manufacturers of printer equipment have some degree of take-back, where you may send the old equipment to be returned directly back to the. HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother offer recycling programs, sometimes even offering free shipping labels.
The programs usually accept printers from any brand, not just theirs. See the manufacturer’s website for details on specific procedures and restrictions.
Many retailers of electronics also recycle old printers:
- Best Buy will take three items a day, per household
- Staples accepts recycled printers from any retailer
- Office Depot/OfficeMax offers a recycling program for small fees
Some retailers even provide trade-in credit or discount on new purchases when recycling old equipment. This helps to make the cost of upgrading printers less costly while solving the toxic disposal issue.
