When it’s time to get a new copier for your business, you’ll want to make sure you put as much thought into how you are going to dispose of your old copier or old copiers as you will put into deciding which Konica Minolta copier best meets your current needs.
While you might, at first, consider simply tossing your old copier into the dumpster behind your building, don’t do that! Copiers contain a number of different parts, pieces, and materials ~ with some of these integral components being quite toxic. While this remedy may seem quick and simple – it is the absolute worst thing you can do for the environment and for your company’s reputation as an environmentally-friendly business. In addition, it’s illegal! For both legal and environmental reasons, you’ll want to dispose of all of your old copiers the right way!
Here are four options for disposing of old copiers:
Donate Your Old Copiers
(It’ll help a non-profit organization.)
If your copier is still in good working order but just not able to meet your current printing demands, consider donating it to your local school system or a non-profit organization in your community. Some organizations have a specific protocol they need to follow when accepting such a donation/gift, so you’ll want to contact them before simply dropping it off. Chances are, however, that they’ll readily embrace and appreciate your gift. For tax deduction purposes, be sure to get a receipt and keep a record of your copier donation.
Here are a few non-profits to consider:
- Goodwill
- National Cristina Foundation
- Komputers 4 R Kids
We are proud to have a program in place to help support local non-profits. Some of these non-profits include:
- Law Enforcement Chaplaincy in Sonoma County
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Ritter Center
- Transcendence Theatre
If you need an old copier repaired or are interested in donating an old copier, we’d be happy to help. You can contact CSBS at (707)528-2151 or by filling out our online contact form.
Resell Your Old Copiers
(It’ll help a new start-up business).
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. If your copier isn’t broke (but just outdated), or simply needs a little tender loving care, you could probably sell it for a few bucks to a private owner or another business owner. There are also several online auction websites and local classifieds where you can post the copiers you have for sale. Although you can’t use them anymore, your old copiers might be an affordable investment for a new start-up business or a business who can’t afford to lease a new one right now.
If you opt to sell them outright, be sure to document the sales since tax law demands that you must report the disposal of any of your major office electronics or equipment, including your copiers.
Return Your Old Copiers
(It’ll take away the hassle of disposing of it yourself).
If you purchased your copier directly from the manufacturer or an original seller, check to see if they are willing and able to take it back from you. They might give you money for it, you might have to pay a fee to have them take it back, or you might get credit for it towards your next copier. If they can’t refurbish it, they’ll know how to dispose of it properly, safely, and legally so you won’t have to! If you acquired the copier from a private seller, contact the original manufacturer, they may be able to take it off your hands – especially if they have a local facility.
Recycle Your Old Copiers
(It’ll help the environment).
Just because your copier may be old or may not meet your current business needs doesn’t mean the copier is not of value in some way ~ even if it’s not working. It can be recycled. By recycling your copier, you are preventing your machine’s harmful materials from being trucked to landfills. By choosing to recycle it instead of having it sit in a landfill where it could potentially leave toxic wastes, you’re helping to have it not leave a footprint on the environment for future generations. There are several companies that specialize in waste-disposal and waste-management and who offer copy machine recycling services in particular. In addition, you might also want to look into recycling the copier toner cartridges. Most of your copier’s materials are also very valuable to professional recyclers ~ so you could easily garner some extra cash for the parts and pieces!
While it’s exciting to invest in a new (or gently-used) copier machine that has all the features you need to handle your company’s printing needs, it’s important to be mindful of how you dispose of your current copier. Although you may not have decided yet if you want to donate it, sell it, return it, or recycle it, just know that you cannot simply discard it as if it were regular trash! Copy machines not only take forever to decompose ~ spending hundreds of years in a landfill, but also release toxic chemicals during that slow-going process. Fortunately, you are now aware of your many options to dispose of your old copy machine without harming the planet. Contact us for more information.
