To recycle HP ink and toner cartridges, return them for free through HP Planet Partners, our return and recycling program. Drop off empty cartridges at participating Staples®, Best Buy®, Office Depot®, and OfficeMax® stores, or at Walmart® for ink only. You can also request free shipping labels, envelopes, or boxes and mail them back. HP Instant Ink members can use the postage-paid envelopes included with most ink shipments.
Why Recycle Your Cartridges With HP Planet Partners
Empty cartridges shouldn't go in your curbside bin. "Because of their construction, Original HP cartridges cannot be effectively recycled using conventional, commercial processes" [1]. HP Planet Partners gives them a free return path instead.
We started the program in 1991. Today it's available in more than 60 countries and territories [1]. "More than one billion Original HP Ink and Toner cartridges have been recycled by customers with HP Planet Partners."¹
How to Recycle HP Ink and Toner Cartridges
Choose the option that fits how many cartridges you have and where you are.
Drop off cartridges at a retail store
Take your empty HP ink and toner cartridges, or Samsung® toner cartridges, to a participating store at no cost:
- Staples
- Best Buy
- Office Depot and OfficeMax
- Walmart (ink cartridges only)
Use the store locator on our HP Planet Partners page to find a drop-off location near you.
Mail cartridges back for free
On the HP Planet Partners page, select Mail it back. From there you can request free shipping labels, envelopes, or boxes. Some Original HP toner cartridges also include return materials in the box.
Request a pickup for large quantities
Does your office go through a lot of supplies? If you have more than 76 toner cartridges or more than 1,000 ink cartridges, you can schedule a free pallet pickup [1].
Return HP Instant Ink cartridges
HP Instant Ink cartridges belong to HP, so they need to be returned when they're empty or when you cancel your plan. Postage-paid recycling envelopes come with most ink shipments. Wait until you have three to eight empty cartridges, then send them back together in one envelope. For toner, put the prepaid label that came with your shipment on the replacement toner box or your own box.
Need another envelope? Sign in to your HP Instant Ink account and order one from the cartridge status area.
What You Can and Can't Recycle
HP Planet Partners accepts nearly every:
- Original HP ink cartridge
- Original HP toner cartridge
- Samsung-branded toner cartridge
The program doesn't accept cartridges from other brands, refilled cartridges, or remanufactured cartridges [1]. Check the [LINK: HP non-returnable supplies list] before you ship. For other brands, contact that cartridge's manufacturer.
How to Pack Cartridges for Return
A few habits make returns go smoothly:
- Only send empty cartridges, since items sent to HP Planet Partners can't be tracked or returned
- Pack toner in the box your replacement cartridge came in when you can
- Take the cartridges out of an old printer before you recycle the printer itself
Have full, unopened cartridges you don't need? HP doesn't run a return program for unused cartridges. Check with the store where you bought them about a refund.
What Happens to Returned Cartridges
Returned cartridges are sorted, then disassembled or shredded. The recovered plastic is mixed with other post-consumer plastics. "HP combines cartridges returned through HP Planet Partners with other plastics to make new Original HP Print Cartridges and other everyday products."²
Not every returned material becomes a new cartridge. "The primary disposal method includes upcycling into new Original HP Ink and Toner cartridges where feasible, followed by donation of material for social upcycling projects, material sold to markets, and energy recovery."³
When it's time to replace your supplies, shop Original HP ink cartridges and Original HP toner cartridges.
HP Printer Support Resources
These guides can help with cartridge replacement and troubleshooting:
- How to replace HP inkjet printer cartridges
- How to solve HP Instant Ink cartridge and printer problems
- How to fix HP printer ink cartridge errors
- How to configure HP toner cartridge protection settings
Recycling a printer or PC too? See our hardware recycling page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I recycle HP ink cartridges near me?
HP ink cartridges can be dropped off for free at participating Staples, Best Buy, Office Depot, OfficeMax, and Walmart stores. Use the store locator on the HP Planet Partners page to find the nearest location.
How do I get free HP cartridge return labels?
Free HP cartridge return labels, envelopes, and boxes can be requested on the HP Planet Partners page by selecting Mail it back.
Can I recycle other brands of cartridges with HP?
HP Planet Partners accepts only Original HP cartridges and Samsung toner cartridges. Refilled or remanufactured cartridges are also not accepted. For other brands, check with the cartridge's manufacturer.
Can I put HP ink cartridges in my curbside recycling bin?
HP ink cartridges shouldn't go in curbside recycling. According to HP, Original HP cartridges can't be effectively recycled through conventional commercial processes, so return them through HP Planet Partners instead.
How many HP Instant Ink cartridges should I send back at once?
HP recommends waiting until you have three to eight empty HP Instant Ink cartridges and returning them together in one postage-paid envelope.
¹ See hp.com/sustainableimpact.
² See hp.com/go/TonerRecycledContent and hp.com/go/InkRecycledContent for list of products.
³ All materials received for the Planet Partners program are treated in accordance with applicable regulations.
