How to Recycle Ink and Toner Cartridges for Free in the UK

You never need to pay to recycle a printer cartridge. The easiest free option is to send your empties to us. One freepost parcel takes all your original ink and toner cartridges, whatever the brand. This guide explains how it works and covers the other options too.

The easiest way: send them to Cartridge King

We recycle original ink and toner cartridges free of charge. Here's how:

1. Download and print our freepost label from our recycling page, or order one of our freepost polybags from the website here polybag recycling bag
2. Put your empty cartridges into the bag or box. Bagging each cartridge stops leftover ink leaking.
3. Attach the label or put the inks into the polybag and post it in a standard round or pillar postbox, or hand it in at any Post Office counter.

There's nothing to register for and nothing to pay.

Please note: Royal Mail's newer parcel postboxes, the ones with a barcode scanner, can't accept freepost items. Use a standard postbox or a Post Office instead.

Why send your cartridges to us?

• Any brand in one parcel. HP, Epson, Canon, Brother, Kyocera, Lexmark and more can all go in together. Manufacturer schemes only take their own brand, so you'd need a separate parcel for each one.
• Ink and toner together. There's no need to split them up.
• No account needed. Manufacturer schemes usually ask you to register before they send a label.
• A UK team you can talk to. If you have a question, email us and a real person will reply.

How to recycle Epson ink cartridges

Send your empty original Epson cartridges to us using our freepost label or polybag. They can go in the same parcel as your other brands.

Epson also runs its own returns scheme for genuine Epson cartridges, which you register for on Epson's UK website. If you have several brands to recycle, sending everything to us in one go is quicker.

How to recycle HP ink cartridges

Original HP cartridges can come straight back to us, in the same parcel as any other brand. HP also runs its own Planet Partners scheme. HP Planet partners

How to recycle Canon ink cartridges

Post your empty original Canon cartridges to us with our freepost label. Canon also offers its own return scheme for Canon ink and toner.

How to recycle Brother ink cartridges

Original Brother cartridges can come back to us too. Brother also runs its own scheme, where you fill in an online form and it sends you an envelope or box.

How to recycle toner cartridges for free

Toner cartridges are bigger than ink, but you can still recycle them for free. Send them to us with our freepost label or a blue polybags. If you have a lot of toners, email admin@cartridgeking.co.uk and we'll help you arrange the best way to send them. If you are local to Welwyn Garden City we may be able to collect them for you, please contact us for more information. 

What about compatible or refilled cartridges?

Our scheme is set up for original, branded cartridges. However, we do accept compatible and refilled cartridges for recycling if you do need to send them to us. 

Recycling for offices and schools

Offices and schools get through a lot of cartridges. We can set up regular free recycling for your workplace or school, so empties are collected in one place and sent back to us together. Email admin@cartridgeking.co.uk to get started.

Other free options

• Your local recycling centre. Most council sites accept cartridges, including compatibles. Check your council's website first.
• Charities. Some charities collect cartridges to raise money.

Why recycling cartridges matters

Cartridges are made from plastic and metal that don't break down in landfill. Leftover ink can leak into the ground. Recycling recovers these materials so they can be used again.

FAQs

Is it really free to send cartridges to Cartridge King?
Yes. Our freepost label and blue polybags cost you nothing, and the postage is prepaid.

Can I send different brands in the same parcel?
Yes. Any brand of original ink or toner can go in together.

Do I have to have bought the cartridges from you?
No. You can send us any brand's cartridges, wherever you bought them, there are no restrictions. 

Can I use the new Royal Mail parcel postboxes?
Attach the label and post it in any postbox through the normal letter slot, or hand it in at a Post Office counter. 

Using a newer postbox? Post your freepost bag through the letter slot, not the parcel drawer that scans barcodes.

Do you accept toner cartridges?
Yes, we recycle both ink and toner.

Can I recycle compatible cartridges with you?
Our scheme is designed for original cartridges but compatible and refilled cartridges are also accepted. 

Can I put cartridges in my household recycling bin?
No. We dont advise throwing ink cartridges into your household bins as they are not set up to dispose of ink cartridges correctly. 

Ready to recycle? https://cartridgeking.co.uk/pages/ink-recycling-information