Printers Recycling in Edinburgh - Drop-Off Points and

Printers in Edinburgh covers where to recycle printers in Edinburgh.

Last reviewed by James Hartley on 03 April 2026

Where Can Residents in Edinburgh Recycle Printers?

Residents of Edinburgh can recycle their old printers at Currys, Argos, or local council recycling centres (HWRCs). The City of Edinburgh Council also provides a list of designated drop-off points for electronics.

According to the UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, The world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, up 82% from 2010.

Printers are considered Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) under the UK's WEEE regulations. This means that retailers like Currys have to provide free take-back services at their stores, while local councils must ensure convenient recycling facilities.

Free Drop-Off Points for Printers in Edinburgh

Residents can drop off printers at Currys PC World or Argos branches located throughout Edinburgh without any charge. Additionally, the City of Edinburgh Council operates several Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) that accept electronics free of charge.

According to the European Parliament, less than 1% of rare earth elements in e-waste are currently recycled.

Currys has a take-back scheme where you don't need to purchase anything new to return an old printer. Similarly, Argos offers a similar service at their designated collection points. According to the Environment Agency's latest report, 58% of WEEE items were collected through retailer take-back schemes in 2019.

Special Handling Requirements for Printers

Before recycling printers in Edinburgh, it's important to remove any batteries and ensure that all data is wiped from the hard drive or memory chips. This prevents the release of hazardous materials like toner cartridges and inkjet ink into the environment and protects personal information from unauthorized access.

In 2018, the European Union's WEEE Directive mandated that countries must set up separate collection facilities for small electrical equipment (like printers) to ensure proper disposal without harming public health or the environment.

Trade-In Options for Working Printers

For those with functioning but no longer needed printers, consider trading them in at Currys for credit towards a new purchase. As of 2021, trade-in values can vary widely depending on the model and condition of the printer, ranging from £5 to over £100.

Currys evaluates each device based on its features, age, and functionality before offering a trade-in value. Printers in Edinburgh's program not only helps reduce electronic waste but also provides customers with some financial benefit when upgrading their technology.

What Happens to Recycled Printers

When printers are recycled in Edinburgh, the materials from them can be recovered and reused. The process involves separating plastics, metals, glass, and circuit boards for recycling or repurposing. For example, precious metals like gold and silver found in circuitry can be extracted and sold to manufacturers who use these components.

According to a report by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), the recovery rate of materials from WEEE in 2019 was approximately 85%, indicating that nearly nine out of ten materials are successfully recycled. The recovered items might end up being used in new products or sold internationally for reuse, contributing to sustainable manufacturing practices worldwide.

Printers recycling in Edinburgh adheres strictly to UK and EU regulations, ensuring safe disposal while promoting environmental responsibility and resource efficiency.

Sources

• UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
• European Parliament