Looking to recycle your old office equipment? You’re in luck! Here’s a guide on how to recycle everything from printers to fax machines. Keep Earth green and your wallet fat by following these simple steps. Happy recycling!
Which Office Supplies Should You Always Recycle?
As anyone who has ever cleaned out a desk knows, office supplies can quickly accumulate.
Over time, this can lead to a cluttered workspace and wasted money. However, did you know that many office supplies can be recycled?
By taking the time to recycle your old pens, pencils, paper clips, and even electronics, you can help to reduce waste and conserve natural resources.
How Can We Reuse Office Waste?
As the world becomes increasingly digitized, office equipment is becoming smaller and more compact.
However, this doesn’t mean that there is any less of it. In fact, the average office worker uses multiple devices on a daily basis, from desktop computers and laptops to printers and scanners. While this trend has led to increased efficiency, it has also created a new problem: what to do with all of the old equipment.
Here are some options.
Manufacturer Take-Back Programs
Many manufacturers have introduced take-back programs that allow customers to recycle their old office equipment. These programs not only help to keep electronic waste out of landfills, but they also provide businesses with an opportunity to receive a discount on new purchases.
As a result, manufacturer take-back programs are a win-win for both businesses and the environment.
Check With Your Local Municipal Recycling Office
Most municipal recycling offices will have a good variety of bins for different recyclable materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. They also usually have a separate bin for hazardous household waste products like batteries, light bulbs, and toxic cleaning supplies.
You can simply drop off your recyclables at the recycling office, and they’ll take care of the rest. Some offices may even offer pick-up services for large items or for households that generate a lot of recyclables.
So if you’re not sure what to do with those old newspapers or that broken toaster, check with your local municipal recycling office — they’ll be happy to help you out!
Donate Equipment To Charities
One way to reduce the amount of office waste you produce is to donate your old equipment to charities. Many charities will accept donations of office furniture, computers, and other electronics.
Not only does this help to reduce the amount of waste you produce, but it also provides a much-needed resource for charities. In addition, by donating your old equipment, you’re helping to ensure that it doesn’t end up in a landfill where it will take up valuable space and release harmful toxins into the environment.
Find A Certified e-Waste Recycling Company
The best way to ensure that your e-waste is properly recycled is to find a certified e-waste recycling company. These companies are held to strict environmental and data security standards, so you can feel confident that your e-waste will be safely and responsibly recycled.
To find a certified e-waste recycling company in your area, simply do an online search or check with your local waste management authority.
Refurbish the Equipment
Refurbishing old equipment is a great way to reduce e-waste. Many computer manufacturers offer trade-in programs that allow businesses to upgrade to new models while keeping their old equipment out of landfills. In addition, there are a growing number of companies that specialize in refurbishing electronics.
Repurpose
There are ways to repurpose office waste so that it doesn’t end up as pollution. For example, old printer paper can be used for notes or sketches, and coffee cups can be reused as plant pots. By thinking creatively about office waste, we can reduce the amount that ends up in landfill and make a positive difference to the environment.
Here’s a video that will show you a creative way to repurpose an old office desk:
Sell Items In Good Condition
If you have office equipment that is still in good condition, you can sell it instead of recycling it. This is a great way to get some money back for things that you no longer need. There are a few different ways to go about selling office equipment. You can put an ad up online, sell at a garage sale, or take the items to a consignment shop. Be sure to do your research to find out what type of buyers would be interested in the items you have for sale.
Computers With Causes
As the world becomes increasingly digitized, it’s important that we find ways to recycle old office equipment.
Computers With Causes is a great organization that does just that. They take office equipment like computers, printers, and fax machines and refurbish them. The equipment is then donated to schools, families in need, and other charities.
They also provide training so that people know how to use the equipment properly. Not only does this help to preserve our environment, but it also helps to close the digital divide.
The World Computer Exchange
The World Computer Exchange is a great organization that takes care of this for you. They will pick up your old equipment and either donate it to a school or recycle it. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so you can be sure that your donation is tax-deductible.
You can also request a free shipping label from them. As an added bonus, some of the equipment that they pick up is actually refurbished and resold.
Head To Staples
One option is to take your items to a local Staples store. Many Staples stores have a recycling program for certain types of office equipment, such as printers and toner cartridges. You can also check with your municipality to see if they have any specific recycling programs for office equipment.
Give Best Buy A Try
The good news is that many office equipment retailers, such as Best Buy, offer recycling programs. To take advantage of these programs, simply bring your old equipment to the store and drop it off at the designated recycling area. Best Buy will then ensure that the equipment is properly disassembled and recycled. In addition to being good for the environment, recycling your office equipment can also help you save money on your next purchase.
TerraCycle Can Help
Terracycle accepts everything from computers to printers to toner cartridges, and recycles them into new products. For example, used toner cartridges are refilled and sold as refurbished cartridges. Old computers are disassembled and the components are used to create new electronics.
If you have old office equipment that you would like to recycle, contact a local recycling center or visit Terracycle’s website to learn more about their recycling programs.
Give It To Local Libraries Or Schools
Another option is to donate the equipment to local libraries or schools. This is a great way to ensure that the equipment will be put to good use and that it will stay out of landfills.
Why Should You Recycle Old Office Equipment?
Many people don’t realize it, but there are good reasons to recycle old office equipment instead of just throwing it away.
First, if the equipment contains any personal identifying information (such as a computer), it’s important to protect that information by recycling the equipment in a way that will ensure the data is destroyed.
Second, recycling can save your business money by limiting the amount of material you have to dispose of as waste.
And finally, recycling conserves natural resources and reduces pollution.
If you are looking for ways to recycle office equipment, hopefully this guide has given you some ideas. By following these tips, you can help reduce environmental waste and keep your old electronics out of landfills.
For more information on recycling or disposing of electronics, be sure to check with your local municipality or the EPA website. And remember, when in doubt – donate!
There are many organizations that would love to receive gently used office equipment to put back into use. Do you have any other tips for recycling office equipment? Let us know in the comments below.