What is ink cartridge recycling?

Ink cartridge recycling is the act of using old ink cartridges to reproduce plastic cartridges, as opposed to making new plastic. Ink cartridge recycling is typically done by sending old cartridges into the manufacturer or taking them to an office supply store.

Schools and charities often collect used cartridges during fundraisers. Many office supply stores, such as Staples and Office Depot, offer incentive programs for recycling used ink cartridges. Recycling cartridges is considered more environmentally friendly than creating new ones, with recycled cartridges requiring 80 percent less energy than new ones. Ink cartridges can be refilled a few times before they need to be recycled or discarded, which is often a service of major retailers.