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Postage Ink Recycling Stations

Ink cartridges are 2.5-percent petroleum-based products which sit in landfills for a 1,000 years before decomposing, leading to 75,000 tons of trash each year. Recycling used postage meter ink cartridges is not only beneficial to the environment, but many put cash back in your pocket. Some recycling centers pay a small fee for recycling efforts while others do not. Contact the recycling center before attempting to recycle to verify the particular ink cartridge is a recyclable brand.

  1. Third Party Postage Management Companies

    • Most major postage management companies, such as Pitney Bowes or Neopost, Inc., implement environmental policies and provide recycling programs for used postage meter ink cartridges. Often these companies do not provide postage to return the used ink cartridges nor is monetary compensation provided. Even though the costs associated with recycling the ink cartridges is left to recycler, this method provides a hassle free, environmentally friendly recycling solution.

    Online Recycling Centers

    • There are a vast amount of online recycling centers who recycle used postage meter ink cartridges, such as Mail Green. Depending on the postage machine manufacturer and model number, these companies may pay up to $5 for returning used ink cartridges. Some of these companies also send prepaid postage envelopes, saving costs associated with mailing cartridges. If payment options are available for the particular ink cartridge, payment is generally sent once the recycling center receives the used cartridges.

    Office Supply Stores

    • Large office supply stores, such as Staples and Office Depot, offer recycling solutions for ink cartridges. These companies pay up to $2 per recycled ink cartridge. Payment for the cartridges are typically in the form of in-store vouchers, where funds can only be applied to purchases within the company. These companies also require the recyler to possess an active company rewards card. For recyclers looking for monetary cash reimbursement, it is recommended to contact the company prior to recycling the old postage meter ink cartridge; not all ink cartridges qualify for reimbursement.

    Postage Ink Manufactures

    • Postage ink manufactures often include a prepaid postage label along with new ink cartridges. These labels make recycling easy. The used cartridges are placed in a shipping container and the prepaid postage label is affixed to the exterior of the box making the box ready to ship. Using this method of recycling does not offer any monetary paybacks.

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