In the West, particularly in Seattle and Portland, recycling is part of our daily routine. Recycling bins are as commonplace as trash cans and most of us wouldn’t dream of throwing a plastic bottle away. Yet recycling unusual or large items isn’t as intuitive and can be trickier. For instance, what to do with that old printer collecting dust in the corner?
Recycling old printers and copiers is important as they can be extremely hazardous to the environment if disposed of improperly. Most printers and copiers contain some levels of arsenic, lead, mercury, and other materials that can enter the soil or water supply.
Recycling office equipment is also good for business. For example, most states have recycling laws in place, and companies that do not abide by them face significant fines. Additionally, sustainability efforts play an increasingly large role in a corporation’s brand. You don’t want to be labeled a polluter, especially in eco-conscious cities like Seattle and Portland.
Luckily, you have options!
Donate it. If your printer or copier is still functioning, you can donate it to a Seattle or Portland school, church, or other nonprofit. The organization you’re helping will appreciate it, and you might receive a tax write-off.
Return it. Some manufacturers will take your printers and copiers back and recycle them for you for free or a small fee. The manufacturer may be able to use some of the printer or copier parts and dispose of the rest safely.
Recycle it. Find a company that specializes in printer and copier recycling, but make sure to use one that is licensed by the government. Those companies can send some parts back to manufacturers and dispose of the hazardous materials safely. In Portland, check out Metro for local recyclers or the city of Seattle for tips on recycling electronics.
How We Can Help
At Pacific Office Automation, our aim is to help our clients solve common business problems, one of which is how to be environmentally responsible when it comes to the purchase, operation, maintenance, and disposal of printers and copiers. POA partners with the Environmentally Conscious Recycling Co. to disassemble machinery and separate out all components for reuse or recycle. We also offer return shipping for toner cartridges.
We only partner with the most trusted manufacturers in the world, all of whom continuously work to lessen the environmental impact of their office equipment and accessories — from intuitive energy-saving modes to plant-based toner.
Want to reduce your paper usage? We can help with workflow solutions such as print track and control to reduce paper and ink waste.
To find out more about Pacific Office Automation‘s commitment to sustainability and how we can help you achieve your green initiatives, contact us today.