It is inevitable for any laser printer user to face the same question after printing: how to handle the waste toner in the printer? While laser printers are widely applied in today’s home offices and large businesses, we also produce a considerable amount of waste toner unintentionally.
An office with 100 employees will bring around 0.9kg of waste toner. Doesn't it sound less severe? According to the Recycling Factory, over 65 million printer cartridges are sold each year in the UK alone, resulting in over 1,200 tons of waste toner. That is the weight of 200 adult African elephants! Image how much harm this trash will cause to our environment. Thus, this guide will provide you with an overview of waste toner and how to change and dispose of it properly, including:
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What Is Waste Toner? Where Does It Come From?
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Why Should You Dispose of Waste Toner?
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How To Replace and Empty Waste Toner Safely
- Conclusion
What Is Waste Toner? Where Does It Come From?
Waste toner refers to the unused toner powder waste produced during the printing process of a laser printer. It usually comes from the printer's waste toner box or collection bin. Waste toner is not used in the printing process, but it is still collected into the waste toner box during the procedure. The accumulation of this waste toner can hinder the proper function of the printer and needs to be cleaned or replaced regularly.
Typically, waste toner is generated for the following reasons:
- Extra toner is collected in the waste toner box by the printer's internal cleaning mechanism (such as a wiper or roller).
- The printer transfers the image to paper once the toner has been absorbed onto a conductor. There is always extra toner, which ends up being waste toner.
- Part of the toner stays in the printer during printing because it is not entirely transferred to the paper.
Some modern printers are designed with special waste toner recovery or recycling systems. But in most cases, waste toner still needs to be disposed of on a regular basis.
Why Should You Dispose of Waste Toner?
- To protect your physical health. Waste toner particles are small enough to get stuck deep in your lungs as PM₁₀, measuring about 8 ± 2 µm. Chronic bronchitis, asthma attacks, and coughing can be brought on by long-term exposure. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has categorized carbon black in waste toner as Group 2B, or "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
- To reduce environmental pollution. Every day, about 1 million cartridges are discarded worldwide. About 8% of each cartridge’s weight ends up as waste toner, releasing a total amount of about 6,000 tons of toner dust into our environment. Plastic resins and trace metals (iron oxide, nickel, and cobalt) can be found in waste toner. If improperly disposed of in landfills, the leachate inside can exceed permissible metal levels by tens of times, harming soil and groundwater.
- To prevent fire & explosion risks. Waste toner is highly flammable and can build up static charge. A stray spark or heat source can cause dust explosions in poorly ventilated storage.
- To extend your printer’s life & save on maintenance. Waste toner can build up inside your printer, clogging drums and scrapers. This leads to paper jams, poor print quality, and even damage to key components, increasing repair costs.
How To Replace and Empty Waste Toner Safely
Replacement of Waste Toner Container
Whether your waste toner container is a cartridge-based bottle or a printer-based bottle depends on your printer model. Be aware that not all laser printers have a waste toner container. In printers without one, waste toner is often collected in a compartment within the toner cartridge itself, and you need to replace it as a whole. Check the manufacturer's website or the printer manual to see if it includes a waste toner container.
Another option is to search the printer's interior for a labeled container or to see if waste toner is displayed on the screen. If you are still unsure, contact the manufacturer's customer assistance.
Before taking any further actions, you should:
•Turn off your printer and disconnect the power to avoid accidents caused by accidental touch during operation.
•Put on disposable masks and gloves. Spread cardboard or old newspapers on the floor to make cleaning up spilled toner easier.
•If the toner gets your skin or clothes dirty, DO NOT use warm water or chemical solvents to remove it. This will accelerate the fusion process. Do use a brush or wash it off with cold water and mild soap.
If You Have a Printer-Based Waste Toner Container
PleaseDO follow the steps below carefully to replace your waste toner:
- Locate the component labeled “Waste Toner” or marked with a “WT” icon.
- Grip the handle or edges and pull it straight out, keeping it level to avoid spills.
- Seal the old container with a plastic bag (many OEM containers have a sealing cap or tape to keep toner inside).
- Unwrap your new waste-toner container, align it on the guides, and gently slide it in until it clicks.
- Close the cover, plug in, and power on. Print a test page to confirm the replacement was successful.
If You Have a Cartridge-Based Waste Toner Container
Please DO follow the steps below carefully to replace your waste toner:
- Open the front or back cover according to your printer’s manual. Look for the toner cartridge chamber, which stores both your toner and waste toner.
- Remove the whole toner cartridge assembly from the printer.
- On some models, you can detach the waste toner container from the toner cartridge (such as Brother DR Series). But most require changing the entire drum unit.
- Place the old assembly inside the original bag and seal it. If you lose your old original bag, use the one from your new cartridge.
- Unpack the new drum unit, then slide it into the printer until it seats firmly.
- Close the cover. If your printer displays a “waste toner full” message afterward, follow the user manual to reset the waste-toner counter via the control panel.
Disposal of Waste Toner
Since waste toner contains ingredients that are harmful to the environment, you shouldn’t throw it casually into the trash bins of your community. Here are some channels for you to handle the waste toner safely and properly.
Official Recycling Program
Numerous printer manufacturers, including Brother, Canon, and HP, offer their customers specialized waste toner cartridge recycling services. Typically, these recycling programs take the following forms:
- Official Recycling Channels: A full list of recycling plans can be found on the official websites of many manufacturers. Customers can apply for free recycling services or acquire mailing labels to return used printing consumables or waste toner cartridges to the manufacturer. Some brands even provide "self-collection services", in which consumers can take their waste toner to approved recycling facilities for disposal.
- Recycling Reward Programs: Some companies offer recycling points or coupons to encourage recycling. For example, HP's "HP Planet Partners" program allows participants to earn points or receive discounts for recycling waste toner. This reward program not only encourages people to recycle responsibly, but it also benefits businesses and individuals.
- Partnered Recycling Centers: Some manufacturers work with retailers and office supply stores to set up recycling bins, and customers may send waste toner cartridges, ink cartridges, and so on to these recycling locations. For example, HP works with a wide range of retailers and recycling centers across the UK, including major chains like Argos and Tesco.
Professional Recycling Agency
Businesses and individuals in the UK can recycle waste toner cartridges, ink cartridges, and other printer-related waste through a variety of third-party collection services.
Many third-party companies, such as Veolia, Ink and Toner Recycling, and Zero Waste Recycling, provide scheduled collection services. This allows businesses to arrange for regular or one-time pickups of waste toner cartridges, ink cartridges, and other office trash.
Disposal On Your Own (Not Recommended)
Be advised that inappropriate disposal of waste toner can damage your printer, pollute the environment, cause a lost on your property and even endanger your safety. Only do so when you cannot reach official or professional recycling channels and the quantity of waste toner is very small.
- Make sure to wear an N95 mask (or higher-level dust mask), disposable gloves, and goggles. Choose a well-ventilated and easily cleanable location (such as outdoors or on the garage floor near a fan).
- To prevent dust from escaping, cover the waste toner box's mouth with two layers of sealed plastic bags and cut a small opening before pouring out the waste toner. Place the waste toner box on a stable, hard work surface and move it gently without shaking it.
- Put the gathered waste toner into a double-layered sealed bag or a hard plastic bucket, or another special sealed container. Place "hazardous waste toner" on the exterior label. To stop leaks during storage or transit, the container’s mouth needs to be sealed once more.
- Never use a household vacuum cleaner or a dry rag. Instead, use a special anti-static dust cleaner or an industrial vacuum. After vacuuming, carefully wipe away any remaining powder with a wet rag (ideally dipped in a tiny quantity of neutral detergent), followed by a dry one.
- Take the sealed container to your local hazardous waste recycling site. Please do not dispose of it in regular trash cans, sewers or open garbage pits.
Please note that you’re supposed to stay away from heat and electricity during the whole process. For large quantities of waste toner, you must seek official or professional recycling institutions for help.
Conclusion
This guide is a valuable resource for anyone who needs to replace or empty waste toner box, either printer-based or toner-based. By following the right procedures, this difficult task can be made simple. The important thing is to be cautious and pay close attention to the instructions to get the best results.
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