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In just a few decades, sales of consumer electronics have skyrocketed.

As consumers upgrade to the latest and greatest devices, old computer towers and bulky monitors are discarded in favor of slimmer, sleeker models. And we need to figure out where to recycle ink cartridges.

Even the simple act of swapping out an empty ink cartridge contributes to the mounting problem of non-biodegradable waste. We address this in our sponsored Where Can I Wednesday column.

Alarming Statistics about Cartridge Waste

To give you an idea of the carbon footprint left behind by something as small as a used printer cartridge, the National Waste and Recycling Association states that over 300 million printer cartridges (smaller inkjets as well as larger laser printer) are discarded – not recycled – each year. One gallon of gas is used to create just one inkjet cartridge.

Environmental non-profit organization EarthShare places the weight of these non-recycled cartridges at approximately 400,000 tons (2010). Despite the fact that these discarded cartridges take up an unnecessary amount of space in landfills across the U.S., 97% of the materials in them can be recycled. Remanufacturing new printer cartridges from recycled ones takes 80% less energy to create a functional product that works as good as a brand new.

How Ink Cartridges are Recycled

Hewlett-Packard (HP) is a recycling leader, with a devoted recycling facility on-site of its Smyrna, TN offices. Since the facility’s opening in 2001, HP has recycled over 39 million cartridges. Ten years later, in 2011, HP was able to recycle 28,600,000 pounds of plastic that was reused across multiple products.

So, how does HP recycle cartridges? Each day, boxes of used printer cartridges are brought back to the Smyrna facility directly from consumers or via drop-off centers at partner stores like Staples.  Once these boxes reach the facility, they are disassembled by a machine and are placed on a conveyor belt. Sophisticated laser technology sorts each component by cartridge model and places them in bins. Any residual ink left inside the cartridge or foam containing ink is drained. (Color printer cartridges are drained of their three colors of ink one shade at a time.) The gold and palladium contacts on the bottom of each cartridge are also separated and melted down for re-use.

The final step of the process involves shredding the plastic and transforming into resin pellets, to be shipped to a factory near Montreal in Canada. There, the pellets are used to create recycled, new printer cartridges.

Where to Recycle Printer ink Cartridges in Philadelphia

Philadelphia bans the disposal of electronic waste (or “e-waste”) mixed in with regular waste to prevent lead, mercury, and other harmful metals that sink into the ground and drinking water.

Philadelphia has numerous places that offer “eCycling” for a safe, effective way to recycle electronics, so  residents have a number of options. The Philadelphia Streets Department has Hazardous Waste events throughout the year, as mentioned on their website.

There are also local stores in Philadelphia that offer programs to recycle ink cartridges.

Here’s a list of where to drop off your printer ink cartridges in Philly & suburbs:

• Best Buy: Plymouth Meeting, King of Prussia, and Springfield locations
• Office Depot: Plymouth Meeting, Springfield, and West Norriton locations. Special recycling boxes must be purchased from the store
• Staples: Narberth, Bryn Mawr, Haverton, Villanova, Roxborough, Chestnut Hill. All listed locations offer free drop off.
• Wegman’s: Malvern and King of Prussia locations
• Target: City Avenue (Philadelphia) and Plymouth Meeting locations

A larger list of stores and community centers that accept ink cartridges for recycling can be found on Earth 911. Depending upon your zip code, you can find stores and recycling facilities near you to help put a dent in e-waste and make Philadelphia a safer, more sustainable place.

This is a sponsored post written by Quill.com, an eco-friendly, online retailer of business products. Check out their site to learn more about their ink & toner recycling program!

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher