Recycling old ink cartridges is not only good for the environment, but also for your bank balance.
Empty ink cartridges should never be thrown away with the rest of your household waste, as they are not biodegradable and contain components which are toxic for the environment.
Most shops selling ink cartridges will have dedicated bins where they can be recycled, and certain déchetteries will also accept them.
There are some companies that will recycle them and give you money for doing so – usually between €0.50 and €4 apiece.
Stationery supplier Bureau Vallée, for example, offers up to €2 for empty cartridges when you bring them into one of its shops.
A table on the company’s website shows the prices for different models – cartridges produced by Canon or HP are worth more than those which are simply compatible with these brands’ printers.
Cartridges which are still usable are reconditioned, filled with ink, and put back on sale, while the rest are recycled. Other businesses allow you to send in old cartridges.
Cynkle, for example, offers free delivery once you have accumulated €20-worth of cartridges, and has an online simulator to estimate their value.
You should receive payment within 24 to 48 hours of the parcel arriving.
France Cartouches has exactly the same offer, though it promises payment after sorting through the cartridges, which could take up to a week.
To find more companies offering this service, search “rachat cartouches d’encre vides”.
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