No, you generally cannot put a printer in a standard skip because it's electronic waste (e-waste) containing hazardous materials like heavy metals, which requires special recycling, not landfilling. You need to use a specific e-waste skip bin or take it to a designated council drop-off point, recycling center, or use specialized collection services for proper, safe disposal and recycling, as it shouldn't go in household bins either.
E-waste recycling. There are private companies, they usually take the basic stuff at no charge, the printer might have one, TV's and monitors will, anything with Freon. Also check your county household hazardous waste facility, and big box stores that sell electronics. They often have programs to take it.
The types of hazardous waste that cannot be put in a skip, skip bag, or container are waste types such as: Old batteries. Asbestos. TV's, monitors, printers, computers, laptops and electrical equipment.
Pause – before recycling your old printer, here's what else you could do with it.
You cannot put hazardous materials like asbestos, chemicals, paint, oil, and batteries in a skip, along with dangerous items such as gas cylinders, medical waste, food waste, and fluorescent bulbs, due to environmental, health, and explosion risks. Other prohibited items often include tyres, mattresses, and e-waste, which require special disposal, so always check with your skip provider.
Electrical appliances and electrical equipment is referred to as WEEE waste. This stands for waste electrical and electronic equipment and as a general rule, it should not go into a skip.
Non-recyclable items
E-waste can't be recycled in household recycling bins, and in many states is banned from landfill due to the adverse impacts e-waste can have on the environment. Recycling E-Waste is essential for the recovery of critical raw materials which can be re-used in the manufacturing of new products.
Use the recycling service at local retailers: Many office supply, home electronics, and big box stores have recycling services that accept printers. For example, through a partnership with Best Buy, HP offers nearly 1000 electronics recycling drop off locations in the United States.
When your printer's time comes (#RIP), you might think that getting rid of it is a simple matter – but wait! Before you throw it in the trash, remember that – like any other type of electronic waste, printer recycling requirements mean your device needs to be disposed of properly for security and environmental reasons.
If you are selling, recycling, or considering disposing of your printer, remove the cartridges, transfer or cancel your Instant Ink account, and restore factory defaults. Note: Together, we can make sure our precious resources do not go to waste.
Materials WE DO NOT accept in our skips:
Hazardous waste – paints, solvents, oils, fuels, chemicals and pesticides or any items that have a hazardous waste symbol on the container or packaging. Electrical items, e.g. fridges, washing machines, TVs, etc.
Generally, the best way for clearing printer memory before recycling is to use the provided menu on the printer itself. Within the menu, there should be settings options for clearing data. On an MFP with a hard drive, this may be listed as a “restore to factory settings” option.
Wipe Out Your Data
Modern printers are essentially data storage devices, and if you don't wipe them clean before disposing of them, you could risk exposing confidential information. Before you part ways with your device, remember to clear all data to protect your privacy.
Log into your HP account on the recycling page and create a new recycling return order.
Electrical Equipment
WEEE recycling is the only proper way to dispose of your old electronics.
Yes, many Bunnings, especially in South Australia, accept e-waste through their "Unplug 'N' Drop" program for items with cords or batteries, but availability varies by store, so it's best to check with your local store first for accepted items like small appliances, computers, and accessories.
Yes, bras can be recycled at some out of home recycling points.
Recycling Tupperware poses challenges, such as: Mixed Materials: Items combining different plastics can complicate recycling. Food Residue: Leftovers or detergents might contaminate the recycling stream. Aging and Wear: Over time, some Tupperware items might not be recyclable due to wear or structural changes.
Many items seem recyclable but aren't, including soft plastics (chip bags, bread bags), soiled paper/cardboard (greasy pizza boxes, paper towels, tissues), small items (bottle caps, straws), ceramics/Pyrex, batteries, Styrofoam, nappies, and some mixed-material containers (coffee cups with plastic lining), as these contaminate loads or jam machinery, requiring special disposal.
You cannot put hazardous materials like asbestos, chemicals, paint, oil, and batteries in a skip, along with dangerous items such as gas cylinders, medical waste, food waste, and fluorescent bulbs, due to environmental, health, and explosion risks. Other prohibited items often include tyres, mattresses, and e-waste, which require special disposal, so always check with your skip provider.
The best way to dispose of electronics involves data wiping, then recycling via specialized programs (like MobileMuster for phones, B-cycle for batteries, or the National TV & Computer Scheme), retailer drop-offs (Apple, The Good Guys, JB Hi-Fi), or local council facilities, or reusing/donating working devices to extend their life and prevent landfill. Avoid putting them in regular trash, as they contain harmful materials and valuable resources.
No, you should not throw a laptop in your household bin. Laptops contain harmful materials such as heavy metals and chemicals, which can leak into the environment if sent to landfill. It's important to recycle them responsibly through a registered recycling centre or collection service.
Then, choose how to dispose of old printers: