How to Dispose of Home Printers
- 1Desktop inkjet/laser printers, all-in-one multifunction machines, and flatbed scanners under 1 meter in height qualify as small e-waste in Korea, eligible for 100% free disposal in apartment or municipal community center collection bins without bulky waste stickers.
- ✓Before discarding, always remove liquid ink and toner cartridges to prevent chemical leaks; free home pickup (1599-0903) is available when bundled with 5 or more small home appliances.
How to Dispose (6 Steps)
- 1
Disconnect Power & Clear Paper Trays: Unplug the device and completely clear any leftover paper sheets from input/output trays for standard paper recycling.
- 2
Remove Ink & Toner Cartridges Prior to Disposal: Open the front or top cover and remove all liquid ink tanks or laser toner cartridges to prevent toxic spills and chemical staining during mechanical compaction; dispose of cartridges in dedicated recycling bins or sealed trash.
- 3
Bundle Cables Neatly: Wrap power cords and USB interface cables securely with cable ties or tape them to the chassis, or drop them together into small e-waste bins.
- 4
Drop into Free Small E-Waste Bins (Under 1m Height): Compact desktop printers and multifunction units under 1 meter in height can be dropped into apartment or local community center e-waste bins 100% free without stickers.
- 5
Book Free Door-to-Door Pickup for 5+ Appliances: When discarding 5 or more small appliances (printers, hair dryers, rice cookers, fans) or bundling with a major appliance, schedule free doorstep collection via the national e-waste service (1599-0903 / 1590.or.kr).
- 6
Bulky Waste Sticker for Large Commercial Copiers: Stand-alone office copiers exceeding 1 meter in height require a municipal bulky waste sticker (typically ₩5,000–₩15,000 / $5–$15) arranged through the local district office.
Real-World Examples
Desktop Inkjet Multifunction Printers (Canon, HP, Epson under 1m: Free small e-waste bin)
Compact Laser Printers (Remove toner cartridge, free small e-waste bin)
Flatbed Scanners & Photo Printers (Tape top lid shut, free small e-waste bin)
Floor-Standing Commercial Copiers (Municipal bulky waste sticker required)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need to pay for a bulky waste sticker when discarding a desktop printer?
A. No! Standard desktop printers and all-in-one multifunction units under 1 meter in height are classified as small e-waste in Korea, completely exempt from waste stickers. You can deposit them free of charge in apartment e-waste containers or local community center bins. Only large floor-standing commercial copiers require bulky waste stickers (₩5,000–₩15,000).
Q. Must I remove ink cartridges and toner before recycling the printer?
A. Yes, absolutely! Liquid ink and fine powdered carbon toner will burst during industrial shredding, coating copper coils and circuitry with chemical residue and severely degrading recycling yields. Remove cartridges, seal them in a plastic bag, and dispose of them in dedicated cartridge bins or standard sealed municipal waste bags.
Q. Can I book free doorstep pickup for just a single desktop printer?
A. Not for a single small unit alone. Under Korea national e-waste logistics program (1599-0903), small appliances like printers, fans, and hair dryers require a bundle of at least 5 small items, or must be accompanied by a major appliance (refrigerator, TV, washing machine) to qualify for free home pickup. For a single printer, simply walk it to your apartment or community center e-waste box.
Q. How should I dispose of power bricks and USB cables?
A. Power cords, adapters, and USB cables contain high-grade conductive copper. Neatly coil and secure them to the printer chassis with tape, or drop them directly into the small electronics/cable recycling bins at your residential complex.