Am I required to mail HP Instant Ink cartridges back to HP?

[tamerlanegrand]

Hello, my question is: am I required to mail used HP Instant Ink cartridges back to HP? I know HP sends a prepaid shipping envelope to you along with the cartridges, but my question is if I am required to send these cartridges back in the first place?

For example, if I just recycle the HP Instant Ink cartridges, will there be any consequence in doing so, since I didn't mail them back to HP?

I've seen conflicting answers to this question while looking through forums of this same question over the years, so I wanted to just ask again here in 2021.

Thanks!

[Donal_M]

Hi,

You can return them via the prepaid shipping envelope or any other recycling stream of your choice.

If you don't return them, it won't affect your subscription and you will continue to receive replacement cartridges as normal. 

[tamerlanegrand]

Much appreciate your response, Donal.

Just to be sure, the HP website says: "HP Instant Ink cartridges are the property of HP and must be returned when empty, or when your service is cancelled." (source: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03922745).

It sounds like HP requires the return of the ink cartridges...but maybe I am misinterpreting what they wrote?

[Donal_M · Accepted solution]

I save mine up and usually return a year or so worth at a time and I've not had any follow-up from HP looking for the returns. 

I wouldn't worry too much f you don't get around to returning them via the dedicated return stream. 

[tamerlanegrand]

Appreciate it! Marked as Solution. Thanks again, Donal.