How To Properly Dispose Of A Copier Or Printer When your copier or printer bites the dust or gets replaced with a new model, you may be wondering what to do with the old machine. Many people actually don't know that these types of machines contain materials that can pollute the earth, and incorrect disposal of copy machines and printers is incredibly hazardous to the environment. Read on to learn how to properly dispose of a copier or printer.
Increasing by about 8 percent per year, electronic waste, or e-waste, is the fastest growing segment of the US waste stream. Contributing to the problem is the fact that less than 10 percent of electronics such as printers, copiers, and fax machines are recycled - the remaining 90 percent end up in incinerators or landfills where their harmful toxins can then cause harm to your health. Instead of allowing these chemicals (including mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, and selenium) enter the air or water supply, consider these alternatives. Donate Your Old Copier or Printer One alternative to throwing out your old printer or copy machine is to donate it to a school, non-profit organization, or low-income community. This is an excellent option if the copier or printer is still in good working order and you are simply replacing it with a newer model. You will keep the copier/printer and all its toxins out of the landfill, and the organization you donate it to will surely appreciate it. Additionally, donating your used equipment to a school or non-profit organization can help you qualify you for tax deductions. Most non-profits will provide a donation receipt for tax purposes if you request it (but keep a record of what you donated and to whom just in case). Check Recycles.org for a full list of schools, organizations, and non-profit businesses that accept donations of electronics. Manufacturer Take-Back If donating your copiers or printers isn't an option, check with the manufacturer of the machine. Many companies now have take-back programs in place for recycling e-waste such as non-working copiers and printers. This option not only keeps the hazardous materials from your machines out of the landfill, but it allows the manufacturer to reuse many resources from the machine such as raw materials and heavy metals.
Find a Licensed Disposal Facility Last but not least is the option of finding a government licensed electronics disposal facility. These companies will dispose of your copier machine, printer, or fax machine in an environmentally safe way that will meet your legal obligations and also achieve the maximum environmental benefit of disposal. Generally a disposal facility will take printers or copy machines such as Canon copymachines or Toshiba copy machines and dismantle them into their composite materials which can then be recycled and entered back into the manufacturing process, thereby helping the environment and preserving natural resources.
Whatever option you choose, just remember to recycle or refurbish your copy machineor printer don't let it end up in the landfill! Correct-Tek Copier Service 1514 E. Waverly Ct. Arlington Heights, IL 60004 US Tel: 847-398-5212 Mobile: 847-398-5212 Email: ctcopier@sbcglobal.net Web: http://www.ctcopier.com/