Help... Cannot Re-Cycle Epson Printer Cartridges

[seasprout]

I'm having a problem here, I went to Tescos today and picked up a Charity free-post recycling bag, the sort that gives you Club Card points and a donation to charity for your printer cartridges.

But in the small print it says cannot accept Epson Cartridges , which I have a few of. So I thought OK I will find another Charity on-line, preferably an Animal, Cancer or Environmental charity that can use them, and so far I've found none that will accept Epson Cartridges.

But there are 100's of 'Companies' who say they will sell them and give give the profits to charity, These I dont trust. So I will only give direct.

So I was wondering if anybody have seen, found or uses a recycling service that can take them, I'm hoping any charity can use them, I've got 5 cartridges so far and wont just shove them in the bin.

Anybody any thoughts.?

[smallblueplanet]

I don't think they're 'recycleable' in the sense that they can be refilled/re-used. Unlike other manufacturers ink cartridges which have a print-head included in the cartridge Epson doesn't, which is why no-one wants them.

[smallblueplanet]

However Epson UK have a facility for them to be returned to them

http://www.epson.co.uk/support/environment/index.htm

[seasprout]

Epson. Pha...

Cheers Smallblueplanet, I have just found this link through an environmental site... who would have thought it, I have to Drive 20 miles to my nearest Epson Express Centre for them to send them back to the manufacturers for environmental disposal, I, as the consumer get nothing and no charities benefit what so ever.

But If I had originally bought the cartridges from www.worldlandtrust.org.uk they would accept them back.

Pants really. Dont buy Epson.

[TPeers]

Contact the Girlguides - they recycle all sorts of printer cartridges to raise funds for the units. www.girlguiding.org.uk is the link, you should be able to find a local unit and/or someone who can help you.

(for 11th Purley (St Swithun's) Brownies - I'm Brown Owl for my sins)

Terry

[Jan]

Or Childline/NSPCC 0800 1111

[seasprout]

It appears no Charities want Epson Cartridges as they cannot do anything with them, they are built differently to other cartridges and cannot be-refilled making them worthless.

[Sue]

Seasprout
We've just had a shop open up in town called Cartridge World who refill your existing cartridge for half the price of a new one. Just had mine done and apparently you can do this up to 10-12 times so it means far less waste and a cost saving for me of £65. Only took two days as well. They seem to do all the main makes, perhaps it's worth a try?
Sue