Recycle your used and empty printer ink cartridges
Empty ink & toner cartridge recycling
Recycle Your Used and Empty Printer Cartridges
Do not throw empty ink and toner cartridges in the bin. Cartridge World can help you find the right recycling route, including paid recycling for selected original ink cartridges through Inkviro, manufacturer recycling schemes and local recycling options.
Earn on selected ink
Some genuine Canon and HP ink cartridges may have a recycling value through Inkviro.
Send to us directly
You can send empty cartridges to our recycling address by courier or Royal Mail.
No Freepost service
We do not currently offer a Freepost recycling service for printer cartridges.
WEEE take-back
Old electrical items should be reused or recycled, not placed in general waste.
Choose the recycling route that suits your cartridge
Ink and toner cartridges are not always recycled in the same way. Use the options below to decide whether to send cartridges to Cartridge World, use paid ink recycling, a manufacturer scheme, or a local recycling centre.
Selected original ink cartridges
Get paid for empty ink cartridges
Cartridge World has partnered with Inkviro to help customers recycle selected genuine Canon and HP ink cartridges. Some empty inkjets can earn money back once accepted by Inkviro.
- Check your empty cartridge model on the Inkviro website.
- Add eligible genuine original inkjets to your seller basket.
- Reach the minimum recycling value shown by Inkviro.
- Follow Inkviro’s current checkout, packing and returns instructions.
- Payment is handled directly by Inkviro once cartridges are received and accepted.
Laser toner cartridges
Recycle empty toner cartridges
Toner cartridges are larger and usually need a different recycling route. Many original manufacturers operate their own toner return schemes.
- Check whether the manufacturer has a recycling programme.
- Send cartridges to Cartridge World Recycling using the address below.
- Use a local recycling centre for toner cartridges where accepted.
- Keep toner cartridges sealed in a bag or box to prevent leakage.
WEEE recycling
Recycle old electrical items
Printer cartridges, printers and some related supplies can fall under electrical waste guidance. Old electrical items should be recycled responsibly rather than placed in household waste.
- Customers buying a new equivalent item may be able to use like-for-like take-back recycling.
- Look for the crossed-out wheelie bin symbol on electrical items.
- Use retailer take-back schemes or local recycling points where available.
- Contact us if you are unsure how to recycle an item bought from Cartridge World.
Printer cartridge recycling instructions
If you would like to send empty cartridges to Cartridge World for recycling, please package them securely and send them to the address below.
Place your cartridges in a suitable envelope or box
You can reuse the packaging your Cartridge World order arrived in.
Send your cartridges to the below address
Cartridge World Recycling
Office 85
Knaresborough Technology Park
Manse Lane
Knaresborough
HG5 8LF
Return your cartridges via courier or Royal Mail
Unfortunately we do not offer a Freepost recycling service for printer cartridges at this time. Please choose and pay for your preferred courier or Royal Mail service.
Please note: This Cartridge World recycling address is separate from paid cartridge recycling through
Inkviro.
If you want to check whether selected original Canon or HP ink cartridges have a cash recycling value,
please use Inkviro directly before sending anything.
How paid ink cartridge recycling works
Selected genuine original ink cartridges can be recycled through Inkviro. Not every cartridge has a cash value, so check your model before sending anything.
1
Check your model
Find your Canon or HP ink cartridge model on the Inkviro website and check if it has a recycling value.
2
Add eligible items
Add enough accepted genuine original ink cartridges to meet the minimum value shown by Inkviro.
3
Checkout with Inkviro
Complete the Inkviro recycling checkout and follow their current packing and return instructions.
4
Send your cartridges
Package your empty cartridges securely and send them using the return method confirmed by Inkviro.
5
Receive payment
Once accepted, Inkviro pays by bank transfer or PayPal within their stated payment timescale.
Good to know: Cartridge World does not issue postage labels for recycling returns.
Paid recycling values, return instructions and payments are managed directly by
Inkviro.
Some compatible, remanufactured or Cartridge World branded cartridges may be accepted for recycling,
but they may not have a cash value.
Why cartridge recycling matters
Recycling cartridges helps keep useful materials in circulation and reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Fast-growing waste
Unwanted electrical equipment is one of the UK’s fastest-growing types of waste.
Reuse first
Many cartridges and electrical items can be reused, repaired or recycled instead of being thrown away.
Useful materials
Cartridges can contain plastics, metals and other materials that are better recovered than buried.
Less landfill
Recycling helps reduce landfill waste and supports more responsible use of natural resources.
Recycling tip: Keep empty cartridges together in a bag or box, away from heat and moisture.
For toner cartridges, avoid shaking heavily once empty and package them carefully to prevent toner powder escaping.
Recycle with the manufacturer
Many original printer manufacturers run their own recycling schemes for ink, toner and printer supplies. This is often the best route for genuine original cartridges.
Brother
Recycle selected Brother ink and toner cartridges using Brother’s own recycling programme.
Recycle with Brother ›
Canon
Canon offers cartridge recycling options for selected Canon ink and toner products.
Recycle with Canon ›
Epson
Epson provides recycling programmes for selected cartridges and printer supplies.
Recycle with Epson ›
HP
HP Planet Partners accepts Original HP cartridges and Samsung toner cartridges through its recycling scheme.
Recycle with HP ›
Lexmark
Lexmark offers return and recycling options for selected genuine Lexmark supplies.
Recycle with Lexmark ›
OKI
OKI provides recycling options for genuine OKI consumables including toner and drums.
Recycle with OKI ›
Samsung
Samsung printer cartridges can be recycled through the HP Planet Partners scheme.
Recycle Samsung cartridges ›
Xerox
Xerox Green World Alliance provides recycling options for selected Xerox printer supplies.
Recycle with Xerox ›
What to do before recycling cartridges
A little preparation helps prevent leaks, delays and rejected recycling returns.
Do this
- Check whether your cartridge is ink or toner before choosing a route.
- Keep empty cartridges in a bag or original packaging where possible.
- Use the correct manufacturer scheme for genuine original cartridges.
- Check Inkviro before sending ink cartridges for paid recycling.
- Package toner cartridges carefully so loose toner does not escape.
Avoid this
- Do not place cartridges in general household waste.
- Do not send leaking toner cartridges without sealing them securely first.
- Do not assume every empty cartridge has a cash recycling value.
- Do not mix unrelated electrical items into a cartridge return unless the scheme accepts them.
- Do not send unused cartridges to a recycling scheme if you intend to return them for refund.
Need help choosing the right recycling route?
If you are unsure whether to use paid ink recycling, a manufacturer recycling scheme, a local recycling centre or Cartridge World take-back support, contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Call us
01423 701704
Email us
customerservice@cartridgeworld.co.uk
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm