How to Get Rid of Old Printers Safely
by Karen Jones · March 30, 2020
Printers are a necessary evil in today's world. They allow us to print documents, pictures, and other items on our computers for use at home or work. However, they also take up space and can be expensive to maintain when the ink runs out or if you have to replace it altogether. The following article will show you how to get rid of old printers quickly to no longer take up space in your office or home.
Do you have old printers lying around your house or office? If so, how do you plan to get rid of printers? The first thing that most people think is to throw them out. This may seem like a good idea initially, but there are many dangers associated with this risk.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that greenhouse gas emissions related to energy usage could be cut by over 120 million metric tons annually through 2035 if everyone threw out their old printers and sent them to a landfill instead of recycling them, which would save 700 billion dollars worth of natural resources like trees (wood), oil products, etc., so these things are preserved for future generations. So this will help preserve our planet's natural resources such as trees, oil products, etc.
Contents
How to Get Rid of Old Printers Safely
People miss many things when deciding what should happen with their old products, like printers. There are many options to explore, such as recycling the printer, donating it, or selling it on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Give a New Job to an Old Printer
You could also give an old printer a new job. Old scanners make great document camera mounts while multifunction devices often double up as storage platforms, too – so consider setting one of these devices aside instead of throwing it out with other discarded items onsite at work.
Sell It
If you are keen on selling your old printer, your best bet is to list the item on an online marketplace like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp. You can also sell it through classified websites or even put a sign up at home with information about how to get rid of printers safely for those that want to buy one.
Donate It
If you don't want to part with your old printer, consider donating it to a school or charity organization. Many nonprofits and community centers actively seek working printers in 2026, as hybrid work and learning environments continue to rely on print resources.
You could also offer the printer as a prize for contests where participants have to do creative work.
Recycle It
If you are environmentally conscious, the best way to get rid of printers safely would be to recycle them instead of throwing them into the landfill. You can look up your locality for the nearest recycling center, or check Earth911.com to find a certified e-waste drop-off location near you that will accept old electronics like printers.
Manufacturer Takeback Program
Most printer manufacturers have take-back and recycling programs. HP, Canon, Epson, and Brother all offer active mail-in or drop-off recycling options as of 2026. You can find information about them by visiting the company's website or contacting customer service through the support portal listed there.
Sell Parts
If all else fails, separating the printer's components is another way to get rid of printers safely. Many people are looking for ink cartridges, toner units, or other printer components — and these can often fetch a few dollars on eBay or through specialty resellers.
Recycle the Parts
If you want to get rid of your old printers and their electronic components, recycling those safely is an option too. Many companies offer certified e-waste recycling services, which is especially important given stricter electronics disposal regulations across many U.S. states in 2026.
Give Them Away
You could also try giving your printer to a local Buy Nothing group, community board, or a charity that does refurbishing — or you might find somebody nearby who is looking for an old one like yours, completely free of charge.
Dispose of Printer
As a last resort, some municipalities offer curbside e-waste pickup days or designated drop-off events where you can safely dispose of old electronics, including printers, without sending them to a landfill.
Where to Sell Old Printers?
– It's always a good idea to check out what companies offer so you can choose the one with the best deal.
– Sell them on eBay, Craigslist, or Amazon- If you have old printers that you want to get rid of, sell them on eBay, for example.
– Sell it as a bundle – Some people will buy old printers in bulk, so if you're looking for an easy way out, then try selling your printer together with other things that someone might need, like ink cartridges or toner.
Where Can You Recycle Printers?
Recycling a printer is more complex than disposing of it.
- Look up how to recycle your printer – You can usually find a list on the website for your area's recycling center or ask a knowledgeable person at Staples, Best Buy, Office Depot, etc.
- Search online – Sometimes, you'll be able to get an answer by searching Google for "recycle old printers near me" or checking EPA's electronics recycling resources at epa.gov.
- Contact manufacturer – If all else fails and you're unsure how to recycle the machine, contact the company that made it, such as HP or Canon. Many manufacturers now offer dedicated take-back programs and updated recycling guidelines as of 2026.
Benefits of Recycling Printers
There are many benefits to recycling printers.
Less Pollution
Recycling is better for the environment because less toxic waste is due to production. It'll also produce fewer pollutants in the air, water, and soil from runoff or disposal during decommissioning.
Sustainable Use of Materials and Resources
When we recycle old printers instead of throwing them out, then this means that there's an opportunity to create something new with what was once junk, which can help make our planet more sustainable by avoiding using too many natural resources like trees (wood), oil products, etc., so these things are preserved for future generations.
Reduced Carbon Footprint
The EPA estimates that recycling old printers instead of sending them to a landfill can significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions related to energy usage and manufacturing new components from raw materials.
Safe Disposal
When you recycle old printers, you will likely recycle the material into another product, which reduces how many toxic chemicals are released in landfills compared with simply throwing the printer away.
Final words
Many people sometimes neglect old printers when they're getting rid of their things because they don't know how to get rid of printers responsibly but throwing them out is never a good idea.
Hopefully, you enjoyed reading it and learned how to get rid of printers without causing too much harm to our planet. Thank you for your time! Good luck in all your endeavors.
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About Karen Jones
Karen Jones spent seven years as an office manager at a mid-sized financial services firm in Atlanta, where she was responsible for a fleet of more than forty inkjet and laser printers spread across three floors, managed ink and toner procurement contracts, and handled first-line troubleshooting for connectivity failures, paper jams, and driver conflicts before escalating to IT. That daily exposure to printers from Canon, Epson, HP, and Brother under real office conditions gave her a practical command of setup, maintenance, and common failure modes that spec sheets never capture. At PrintablePress, she covers printer how-to guides, setup and troubleshooting tips, and practical advice for home and office printer users.
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