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Ink and Toner Recycling Program

Through Supra (in partnership with Office Depot Business), the University-wide Contracted Supplier for office supplies, departments can recycle empty desktop ink and toner cartridges for free through the HP Planet Partners program. HP provides prepaid shipping boxes (or labels for your own boxes) through UPS. There is no cost to your department, and no purchase through the PantherExpress System is required. This program supports Pitt's sustainability goal to reduce landfill waste by 25% by 2030. 

Please note that University Managed Print Services have provided departments with shared access multifunction printers through Canon, and the Canon Toner Recycling program is the default ink and toner recycling program for these shared devices, which cut down on electricity, ink, and toner.

Program features include:

  • Cost: Free

  • Accepted items: Empty desktop printer ink and toner cartridges

  • Box capacity: 20-25 toner cartridges or 200-300 ink cartridges

  • Shipping: Prepaid UPS label (already attached to HP boxes)

  • Account needed: One-time HP Planet Partners business account

How to Register and Participate

Step 1: Create your HP Planet Partners account (first time only)

  1. Go to hp.com/hprecycle, scroll down, and select "Mail it back" or "Schedule a pickup."
  2. Select "Sign In/Register" on the left, then "Register" under "Register a new account."
  3. Fill out the requested information and select "Create." HP will email a verification code to the address you entered. Enter the code to verify your account.
  4. Select the "Business" account type and enter:
    • Business name: University of Pittsburgh
    • Customer ID: 423470

Your customer ID allows HP to track recycling for the University. Once your account is active, you can skip this step in the future.

Step 2: Order a box or label

  1. Go to hp.com/hprecycle, select "Mail it back," and sign in.
  2. Select "Start A New Order," then choose "Mail it back."
  3. Select the type and estimated quantity of supplies you plan to recycle. Exact counts aren't needed.
  4. Review the shipping recommendation HP displays, then select the number of boxes or labels you need.
  5. Select "Next Step" to enter shipping information, then review and confirm your order.

Step 3: Fill the box

  1. Place empty cartridges in the box and nothing else. Please don't include packaging or other products.

Step 4: Send it back

  1. Hand the sealed box to your UPS driver during a regularly scheduled pickup, or drop it off at any local UPS store. The shipping label is already attached to HP boxes. If you ordered a label only, attach it to your own box first.

Note: HP's free service doesn't include a separate pickup just for recycling boxes.

Additional Resources

Questions?

Representatives from Supra and Office Depot Business are available to assist with questions about the HP Planet Partners ink and toner recycling program. Visit the Supra/Office Depot Business supplier page for contact information.