Hi OzB,
I am aware of how to recycle old printer cartridges, but how does one exactly dispose of an actual printer? Is there any particular free service that does it or can I drop it off at a location? Or do I just dump it into a bin?
In case you're wondering, the printer in question is an old Samsung CLP-300.
Thanks!
Oo thanks for the info, however I don't think the printer is worth anything, and it does have a few problems.
Will check my local council, thanks for the tip!
I hate twits like this
Easiest and quickest is lazy selfish and contribute to an immoral society
Most councils have ewaste recycling centers you can drop things off for free.
You don't understand that I'm "taking the mickey". Do I really have to put /S on every sarcastic post, I thought it was obvious enough… I guess it's fine line.
Which is why socialism/communism is a bad idea. There is no incentive for these people do the right thing.
if there any incentive to do the right thing in Australian's current economic structure? Im not seeing anything incentive to dispose of it responsibly. Germany has a great bottle recycling scheme which seems to work well.
Just dump it at lifeline/red cross, then it's their problem.
No, because they have to pay to get rid of it which eats into their budget which could be better used to actually help people.
Dump it at lifeline with something you know they can actually sell for a profit? Then you're kind of paying them to do it? Donate higher priced item if you feel guilty?
Why would you "dump" something which cold be sold at a profit? Try again, genius.
Lob it over a neighbours fence (one you don't get on with) 3:)
hehe
Cartridge goes to officeworks, then i pull it apart using a screwdriver (i kind of enjoy it) and recycle various parts. Most of it is plastic which can be put into the recycling bin
Disassembling the printer into smaller parts, and then dumping them into the recycling bin?
Depends what parts they are, but basically yes. Some things go in the rubbish, much of it goes in the recycling
Um, just because something is plastic doesnt mean its recyclable.
Check your council's website for disposal methods. My council just had an e-waste collection day last week.
Yep thanks for the info! I think my local council only has drop off locations however.
Yes definitely check your council's website to see whether they have a fix point drop off for e-waste. Some councils even let you book a pick up (up to twice a year for example).
just leave it on the front step of your local council office
i usually chuck it in the boot of my car and when i drive past someone's house that has a huge pile of council pickup, i turf it
you probably pick up a whole load of other crap from their junk pile and put it in your boot
just like a trade-in
lol.. yah i bet tony's trunk is full of dirty mattresses
Take it to Officeworks - they have a recycle e-waste program there…
can i also dispose of my ink cartridge through this program at Officeworks too?
I thought officeworks only had the e-waste for cartridges and toners
Some stores (mine - Maroochydore QLD) have an e-Waste recycling program for all sorts of computer peripherals too.
Thank you! I didn't know that. I've been dumping stuff in the rubbish bin after removing the battery and giving it to the guys at Battery World to recycle.
does it still work? if it does leave it on the nature strip with a note. someone will pick it up.
Yeh it sort of does still work, albeit there are a few issues with it such as:
I don't really want to leave it on the nature strip, feels like I'm polluting :S
I had to check if this was already posted here, beaten to the punch. This is the only way to dispose of a printer!
Depends where you are of course but I utilise this
http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/environment-waste/rubbish-tip…
Officeworks locations to drop off computers and peripherals. http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/landing/About-us-enviro…
here I was thinking all along that it was OK just to dump it in their car park
This problem is why I really feel bad that it is cheaper to buy a new printer than a set of inks…
Although the inks included in most printers are "starter" inks & much less capacity than the new ones.
Dump it on the nature strip with an 'it works' sign on it! Someone will likely take it.
If it doesn't work, put a For Sale sign on it. Someone will then steal it. :p
Really depends on where you live. Recently we dumped a few large items on our front lawn after arranging the local council pickup — broken bar freezer, broken lawn mower, broken tricycle etc. Placed on the lawn at 10PM, most items are gone by the time we got up the next morning. The council guy came at 10AM only managed picked up 1-2 items.
I do live right next to public housing though.
same thing happens in my neck of the woods
guys come scouring for anything metal these days more than anything
but broken chairs/pots/pans disappear in a flash
old electronics dont attract the same attention it used to
no one touches those things any more
Another option is to return it where you bought it from. Their problem.
Am I a bad person for simply putting my last one in the normal bin?!?
No the majority of people who aren't posting on this website, drinking a coffee in their skinny jeans, while lounging on their couch, with their iPhone do this. It's called valuing your time (rather than ideals). I'm all for saving the environment and I will if it doesn't put me out more than 5mins and I do simple stuff like use plastic bags from shopping for garbage rather than buying plastic bags, washing car on lawn, taking short showers, etc. But don't think that I'm going to spend more than 5mins looking for a suitable place to drop off a frigin printer.
If anyone actually cared about this, manufacturers would be selling printers with full inks rather than starters (and obviously advertising this fact). I'll ride anything out until it dies rather than just upgrading needlessly.
This makes me think of people who believe we should all have solar panels on our roofs rather than just all buying a big solar station and just chipping in. Makes no sense as it takes far more work/maintenance or man hours per kilowatt produced. It's just idealism and political better-than-you-ness rather than practicality and it shits me. Generally these people would rather be seen doing the right thing than actually doing it. Ignore them.
Great question OP, good on you for being conscious of this.
I'd try to learn from this experience, spend that little bit more on a printer from a reputable brand that will last you. If you want to know what a reputable brand is look at the corporate printers at your work (hint: Samsung isn't one).
The whole 'sell the printer at a loss to make money off the ink' / starter ink kits drives me nuts! They should be banned… imagine the TONNES of e-waste from those alone.
My little Fuji Xerox Colour laser really didn't cost that much ($125 odd, not sure - the cheapest DocuPrint) and is going strong after years of light home use… laser is better for the very light user too. It can sit there doing nothing for 6 months then BAM prints out the first page in perfect full colour first time.
Works out much cheaper than going through a cheapie inkjet that dries up every 6-12 months (and uses more paper in the process). Plus it's tiny and looks cool being black! Let's face it, printing at home hasn't changed much, what you buy today you could be using in 3-5 years.
Also, a printer is tax deductible for pretty much anyone these days.
Loving the quality of replys! Thank you both! I do tend to buy higher quality printers, so this was the only one I've ever thrown out. I now have a duplex wireless network mono laser which I fully intend to replace the toner on after my 1000 pages!
This comes from my husband who is a registered builder & I'm not joking.- " Put it in the big green bin for general rubbish collection"
Put on Gumtree, sell it for $10 bucks. Problem is no longer yours :)
Otherwise
recycle: http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/
or visit your nearest council office and ask if they accept e-waste during collection days.