Recycling used Samsung laser printer cartridges

Every now and then I need a paper copy of something. In Finland, which to my observations is quite far advanced in the paperless processes (working environment or otherwise), that's rare. The obvious exception to the rule is bookkeeping and banks. They won't live without a hard-copy of something. For the purpose of producing a printout I have a Samsung color laser printer. When it was new, I even made a humorous note of it.

The general grievance about modern printers is, that they cost around € 200,- and almost immediately run out of [insert a name of expensive supply product here]. In my case, nothing else than all colors cost way above € 300,-. But that's not my rant-of-the-day, I knew all about that when I decided to have the unit shipped to my front door. Korean engineers @ Samsung made the actual process of changing a color cartridge a very simple one. I have to say, that hardest part in that is un-boxing the new ones. They are so tightly vacuum-sealed. So, no groaning about that one either.

What do you do with those darned expired things, when you're done!!

I had replaced the black cartridge earlier, it always runs out first. In this instance, I replaced only the colour ones (CMY). So, only 3 useless boxes to throw out of the house.

From The Web, I found somebody having the same problem. This article is in Finnish, but it's pretty much about Samsung color cartridge not having any kind of recycling info in it. Samsun's rep reponnds, that "oh yes, there are instructions". This is the only thing I found about the subject:

It says to go to www.samsung.com/printer/recycle for information. I did and landed at Samsung S.T.A.R Programme (Samsung’s Takeback And Recycle). It has following information about returning used cartridges at How to return your used cartridge -page:

1. Place your used cartridge in the bag and box which came with your new Samsung toner cartridge. In case you wish to send more than one cartridge for recycling, please put all cartridges in one big box, or tape the individual boxes together.
2. Close the box using clear tape;
3. Register yourself/your company on our STAR website. In case you have already registered yourself/your company, please log in using your user name and password. Chose the number of empty cartridges you would like to return and press the ‘get your label!’ button. Your order will be processed immediately. Only one (1) return label will be sent to your registered email address or will pop up at your screen;
4. Print the return label and place it on the large side of the box. If the return label contains a bar code, please keep this bar code visible;
5. Drop off your box at the nearest post office or include it in your usual mail collection.

Well, I guess I'll have to register to the site and get myself some clear packing tape. After doing that, it was possible to print following packing slip:

Looks like a valid customer return information required by postal services. Now the last thing is to go to a post office and leave the bundle there.

So, the information was there. Obviously the entire process is a bit more complex than just taking out the garbage, but I guess Samsung guys will properly handle all the troublesome waste there. That should save the Earth!