Why Some Electronics Require a Small Recycling Fee

At Dispo.tech, we’re proud to provide free recycling for nearly all electronics that come through our doors. From desktop computers and servers to office phones and cable boxes, most items are handled without any charge to the general public, local businesses, or community organizations.

But there are a few categories of electronics that require extra time, care, and specialized disposal methods. That’s why we sometimes request a small fee to cover those additional costs.

Why Printers Are Especially Challenging

Large printers—like wide-format plotters, copiers, and multi-function devices—are one of the trickiest items we accept. Here’s why:

• Complexity: These machines are made up of many different materials (plastic, metals, circuit boards, rollers, belts, and more) that must be separated before recycling.
• Toner Hazards: During disassembly, toner often spills out. Toner powder is combustible, which means it can’t be swept up like regular dust. It requires special PPE (personal protective equipment) and specialized vacuums and filters to safely collect and dispose of it.
• Size and Weight: Large printers are heavy, awkward to move, and sometimes require multiple people or special equipment to transport.
  

Because of all this, large-format printers fall into the same category as plasma TVs, old tube televisions, and certain battery types—items that simply require more attention to recycle responsibly.

Why?

To keep recycling free for the vast majority of items, we offset the extra costs of complex, or particularly tricky items with a modest handling fee that covers:

• Any special tools and protective measures required
• The safe handling and processing time needed to recycle or repurpose
• Any responsible downstream disposal costs that come with some items
  

This ensures that your equipment is handled safely, and as much as possible stays out of our local landfills.

The Bigger Picture

At Dispo.tech, our mission is simple: We're here to reduce the impact of e-waste, protect sensitive data, and make responsible tech disposal easier for everyone.

By handling items like printers and batteries with extra care, we ensure that dangerous materials don’t pollute our environment—and that valuable resources can be reused and repurposed responsibly.

If you have a printer (or other challenging item) that needs to be recycled, call us. We’ll walk you through the process, explain the small fee, and make it easy to schedule a pickup.

Together, we can make tech disposal safe, responsible, and sustainable for Bowling Green and beyond.