Photocopier recycling starts before the machine leaves the building. Old copiers and printers are e-waste: they hold metals, plastics, boards and leftover toner, and most store scanned images on an internal drive. They belong with a recycler, not in a skip, and the drive must be wiped or removed first. Empty cartridges can often go back through a take-back programme or to a remanufacturer. Send one request and we pass it to independent recyclers, collectors and copier dealers near you, who quote you directly.
Wipe the drive first
Many copiers have a hard drive or memory that keeps copies of scanned, copied and printed pages, plus address books and email settings. Under POPIA, personal information on that drive must be protected. Ask the dealer or recycler to run a data overwrite or remove the drive, and ask for written confirmation. Clear the address book and saved email settings too. Do the same for leased machines going back at the end of the term; see photocopier leasing. Some offices with very sensitive records keep the old drive and have it destroyed separately.
Where old copiers and printers should go
An e-waste recycler strips the machine, recovers metals and boards and handles the toner powder and plastics properly. Ask whether they collect, whether there is a charge for heavy floor standing machines, and whether they give a recycling or disposal certificate, which some companies need for their records. A machine that still works may be worth more to a refurbisher than to a recycler; see used photocopiers. Before you call anyone, note the make, model and meter reading of each machine and whether it still powers on, as this decides whether it is worth more as a working machine or as scrap.
Empty cartridges: take-back and selling
Many makers and suppliers run take-back programmes for empty toner cartridges and ink cartridges, sometimes with collection boxes for offices. Some remanufacturers buy certain empty toner cartridges, usually popular models in good condition, to refill and resell (see toner refills). Keep empties in their boxes or bags so leftover toner does not spill, and never burn them. Leaking toner is a fine powder that makes a mess, so seal damaged cartridges in a plastic bag. Waste toner containers from copiers usually go back to the dealer on a service contract.
Trade-ins and collection
When you buy, rent or lease a new machine, ask the dealer to take the old one away. Some offer a trade-in value on newer machines; on old ones the most you may get is free removal. For a clear-out of many printers, a recycler may send a bakkie or a truck with a tail lift. Give the number of machines, which floor they are on and whether there is a lift. Schools and offices often save up a storeroom of broken printers, so one booked collection clears everything at once.
What to put in your request
- Number and type of machines
- Boxes of empty cartridges
- Floor, lift and access for collection
- Data wiping or drive removal needed
- Certificate needed for your records
Photocopier and Cartridge Recycling for offices, schools and home offices
- Home offices: a dead inkjet and a bag of empty cartridges dropped at a take-back point
- Small businesses and shops: an old copier removed by the dealer when the new one arrives
- Corporate and head offices: a fleet refresh with every drive wiped and old machines sent for recycling
- Schools, colleges and universities: broken printers and old copiers cleared from storerooms in the holidays
- Medical practices, clinics and hospitals: a practice copier with patient scans on its drive wiped before collection
- Law firms, accountants and agents: a law firm's old copier drive removed and destroyed before disposal
- Government and municipalities: municipal e-waste collected with certificates for the asset register
- Factories, mines and warehouses: a factory clearing printers and cartridges through an e-waste recycler
- Churches, NGOs and community groups: an old donated copier taken away for recycling when a better one arrives
Frequently asked questions
Do you collect or recycle machines yourselves?
Can I get money for an old copier?
Can I sell empty toner cartridges?
Can old copiers go in a skip?
Photocopier and Cartridge Recycling by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg