Just got a bunch of Printers

Hello everyone.
I just got a hundred or so printers of varying size/value etc. a few are worth something and I am working to sell those. but the rest are scrap.

I have a couple of questions:

What kind of plastic are they usually made of? I think I will end up with a 1500-2000bs

Anyone know of a plastic recycler in the Southeast?

most of the metal seems like SS to me, but a magnet will stick to it, so I guess it is just plated right?

I am also trying to resell that cartridges and boards, any other advice?

thanks for the help and the great resource



Bruce

They're a mix of laser and inkjet? I've got three pallets of lasers in my unit right now, and still trying to figure out what to do with them. The last laser printer I did, I stripped all the boards out, threw those in my low grade tote, put all the plastic in the recycling container, and pulled any motors out, took the toners over to staples for my staples rewards. And most of the metal was all steel.

I haven't gone over the boards that came out, but most likely they're not high grade boards. Printers are pretty cheaply made. I don't touch inkjet printers anymore. Too messy.

I don't know how big of a market there is for used toner carts, unless you know someone that owns a refill business.

Any printer I get, I snip the cord, and take the ink cartridges. There's not a whole lot of metal inside, it will just go with my mixed scrap.

I will take the cartridges to office depot for a store credit refund. Can take 20 a month.

Most computer cases and printer cases are made out of ABS plastic. Make sure all the brass screw inserts are removed and you can fill gaylord boxes with the plastic for sale.

Take the cards and memory out for escrap and I'm sure you know what to do with the steel chassis.

Wow, all these years. I had no idea the ink carts were worth anything more than dumpster space. There is a Staples a mere 105 miles from me, and I am in that town at least a couple times a year. Thanks guys!

The boards inside printers are known as mid-grade as they have gold content but not a lot. I get .50 per pound for them and they add up quickly. Watch some of the laser printers as they generally have some ram (memory) in them and can have a high grade board if they were the high end printers to begin with.

For standard inkjet printers there are some that have higher grade boards, such as those that have card readers built into them.

Printers are my least favorite thing to do but the material does add up. The steel adds up quickly, especially from the larger units and you can get a fair amount of wire out of some of them.

The previous post was correct, the plastic is ABS. I found my plastics company by doing a Google search for "Sell Plastics (Insert State)" That will generally bring up any plastics buyers in your area.

Do they have a branch up in Maine, hence the name? Might be worth a phone call,, just a thought.

Originally Posted by Mick

Thanks for the tip, ComputerScrapper. But "Sell Plastic in Maine" got me a company called "Maine Plastics" in Zion, Illinois.

Use google maps. Zoom to your area, and search for plastic buyer, or scrap plastic, ect.

I forgot, all you have up in Maine is trees, not factories.lol

great info. thanks again everyone

Now why would anyone expect a company called "Maine Plastics" to operate in Maine?

DUH ! Silly Me,,,

Originally Posted by fiat128

Most computer cases and printer cases are made out of ABS plastic. Make sure all the brass screw inserts are removed and you can fill gaylord boxes with the plastic for sale.

Take the cards and memory out for escrap and I'm sure you know what to do with the steel chassis.

Hi, newbie here, does anybody have an efficient method for removing those brass screw inserts?

Hi bruce ,

Do you still have the printers ? I am in toronto , Ontario and would like to buy them from you? Let me know
thanks
lio

Lio,

I have 6 pallets or so of laser printers and a some inks I'm looking to sell. Located just outside of Detroit MI. If you are interested let me know and lets chat!