Your plotter printer has had a good run, but it’s time to put it out to pasture with all the other old plotter printers. It might still run well, but market demands require you to make an upgrade. Maybe it just spit out its last print and is gone for good. Unfortunately, most plotter printers don’t fit snugly into the wastebasket under your desk. Nor can you simply drag it outside and hope the trash collectors toss it into the back of their truck and mash it up. No, getting rid of a plotter printer requires special techniques. Here’s how to dispose of your old plotter printer without any muss, fuss, or possible fines.
Well, you probably could, but it will be difficult. Most trash collection services don’t take large appliances like printers. They’re often too big and take up needless space in a landfill. If they’re allowed into a landfill, that is. Printers contain materials and chemicals that are hazardous to the environment. They need to be dismantled and separated into hazardous and nonhazardous parts before they can be thrown away. Yes, you could leave your old plotter printer out on the curb and hope a trash picker somehow gets it onto their truck, but that can leave you open to fines; frankly, it’s not a good look for your company.
Does it still work, or does it mostlywork? A working printer is a valuable commodity, of course, so you may be able to sell it to another company or organization. Place an ad offering your plotter printer for sale. You may find a buyer in no time and defray part of the costs of the new printer.
If you want to repair your model and receive an affordable estimate of the repair costs, pay to fix your plotter printer. It’ll increase its useful lifespan and resale value. If the repairs are a bit more than you want to pay but the printer is only a few steps away from being fully functional, add that as a caveat to the for-sale ad. Some buyers may have the budget for restoring tech.
Let’s say the plotter printer is perfectly operational or just needs a little TLC to work—what now? Waste not, want not. More than likely, an organization, charity, association, or other group in your community could use a good printer for advertising, communicating, and creating eye-catching products. Donating the printer can help a good cause that you support and possibly provide you with a tax write-off!
Put word through the grapevine that you have a printer to donate, suggesting that you’re seeking a school, rec center, community group, charity, or nonprofit organization to give it to. You’ll find one swiftly after your announcement. As a side effect, it’ll be good for public relations and brand recognition in your region. International companies also accept donations of electronic devices and take them to other countries where businesses and organizations can use them.
We mentioned how printers consist of multiple parts and materials that require the device to be dismantled and separated before disposal. Fortunately, tech recycling companies do just that! They probably won’t buy your printer, but they will accept it, break it down, and recycle the parts.
Your plotter printers’ original manufacturer may also have a repurposing program in place. Contact them and ask if they’ll take your old printer and recycle or repurpose it, often in collaboration with a charitable organization. You could even eliminate the middleman and check if the local branch of your local thrift store chain or resale shops are interested in the device. You might have to provide the transportation, but at least it’s out of your hair!
If you’re buying a new plotter printer from the same provider, they may have already brought up the possibility of a trade. Bigger companies and retailers often offer to reduce the cost of a new or replacement printer when you trade in the old one. It may not be a huge discount, but it’s certainly better than throwing away the old printer and getting zilch for it. Inquire about discounts, trades, and exchanges. Most of these companies strive to be eco-friendly and sustainable in their practices for various breaks and benefits, so they’re happy to share the “wealth” in the interest of eco-friendliness.
Regardless of how you decide to get rid of your old plotter printer, you need to prepare it correctly when the disposal day comes. The operating manual may already outline the process, so consult it or the manufacturer’s website to be sure. Generally, it’s a simple process.
After getting rid of your plotter printer, you should sweep, vacuum, and otherwise clean up the area before installing the new printer! Keeping the area clean can only enhance its performance.
By this point, you should know how to dispose of your old plotter printer. If you have further questions, contact us today. We can advise you about getting rid of your old printer and outfitting your office with a brand-new or replacement model. We offer a wide selection of plotters and other types of printers, peripherals, paper, and more. Call us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
