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HP’s Takeback Program

Details on HP’s Takeback Program

How to get free recycling from HP HP has three options for your old products:

  1. Drop off items at any Staples at the US.
  2. Mail back items for recycling via Fedex.
  3. Mail back items for trade in.

Here’s how they work:

Option 1: Drop off at Staples for recycling.

HP partners with Staples to offer convenient recycling for many types of electronics (see list below) via all Staples locations in the U.S. They take “any brand, any condition” and will accept up to 6 items per person per day.

Go here to find a Staples near you.

Items accepted for free recycling at Staples stores:

  • Desktop and all-in-one computers
  • Laptops, tablets, eReaders
  • Monitors
  • Desktop printers, copiers, scanners, faxes, multifunction devices
  • Shredders
  • UPS/battery backup devices (with or without included battery)
  • Computer peripherals including mice, keyboards, modems, routers and computer speakers
  • Small electronics including mobile phones, MP3 players/iPods, calculators, GPS devices, digital cameras, camcorders and cordless phones
  • Digital projectors, CD/DVD/Blu-ray players, gaming devices, A/V receivers, video streaming devices, cable/satellite receivers
  • External hard drives and small servers
  • Rechargeable batteries (if 11 pounds or less)

Staples will not take back these products:

  • Televisions
  • Floor model copiers and printers
  • Appliances
  • Large servers
  • Stereo/home AV equipment
  • Alkaline batteries
  • Rechargeable batteries larger than 12 pounds
  • Lamps/bulbs

Option 2: HP’s mail back recycling program via Fedex.

You can ship (for free) some old HP products back for free recycling. You need to use their site to get a free shipping voucher and take it to any Fedex shipping center. You can also use this mailback program to recycle non HP items, but it’s not free. This site will tell you the cost of recycling. Note: You must say “yes” to the question about premium shipping, or you won’t get a quote for recycling. More details below.

 

Option 3: HP’s mail back trade in program.

HP also has a buy back program for some products (not just HP brands),  using Market Velocity. also using Fedex, where you can earn money for your used products. Details below.

You use HP’s site to see if the item(s) has any trade in value.  If your product has value, you can get cash (a check), an HP gift card, or a donation to an HP approved charity.  You have to drop them off at Fedex. HP pays for shipping. You can have up to 5 items per mailback quote. HP uses a vendor called Market Velocity for both mailback programs. Shipping instructions for your product will be sent via email within one business day after the online quote process has been completed. You must ship within 30 days or you have to start the transaction over.You will need to provide your own box and packing materials. You can pay an extra $10 for “premium shipping” to have FEDEX pick up your items from you. For larger quantities (6 or more units) HP has a large quantity portal to give you a custom quote (not instant).
How do I know that HP will handle my e-waste responsibly?

Drop off program with Staples. Staples partners with Electronics Recyclers Inc (ERI) which is a recycler certified to the e-Steward standard, the highest standard in this industry. This standard does not allow exporting e-waste to developing nations.

For the mail back and trade in program, HP uses a vendor called Market Velocity to handle its trade-in program. Market Velocity is not an e-Steward and they don’t disclose their recycling vendor used, although we assume it to be Sims Recycling Solutions, a longtime vendor for HP. Sims is also not an e-Steward.  So this trade-in and recycling program therefore does not benefit from independent auditing to high standards. However, HP has a fairly strong policy regarding responsible recycling of e-waste, stating that non-working products collected in their programs may not exported to developing countries for recycling. HP makes their recycling standards and their reuse standards public.
Who can use HP’s services Anyone can use it. But residents of Alaska and Hawaii can’t use the HP fedex shipping labels, and will need to pay for surface shipping to Hewlett Packard Recycling Facility. Alaskans, send yours to 8855 Washington Blvd, Roseville, CA 95678. In Hawaii, ship to HP recycling facility: (99-1305 B Koaha Pl., Aiea, 96701).
What about business customers? Businesses with large quantities can use HP’s asset recovery system to sell old equipment to offset recycling costs. Details are on their asset recovery site.
Read the small print (Details you need to know) Like with most takeback programs, the shipping labels to send items in for trade in or recycling will “expire” in 30 days. If you want to use the mailback program,  you must drop off the item in 30 days or you will need to start over on the website.
HP’s Toner and Ink Cartridge Recycling Program HP has two programs to take back HP inkjet and toner cartridges for free recycling. Drop off cartridges at retailers. HP has expanded its retailer partners for this program. Here’s who takes what:

  • Staples and Best Buy – takes inkjet cartridges and laser jet cartridges
  • Walmart and Office Depot/Max – take inkjet cartridges only.

More info on the retailer drop off program for printer cartridges here.

Mail back inkjet or laser printer cartridges  – get free shipping labels here. HP no longer puts return mailing envelopes in the ink cartridge packages.
What else does HP take back and recycle?

Product packaging recycling info here.

Large-format printing materials recycling info here.
Link for more details HP’s Recycling Website and their FAQs on the mail back programs:

Updated Feb 2016