Fax Machines Alternative ways to recycle Illegal in Garbage/Recycling & Drains Recycle with E-Waste Fax machines contain toxic metals and and must be recycled with e-waste. ⚠ PLEASE NOTE: Physically broken e-waste items (with broken physical parts / screens) should be treated and disposed as hazardous waste, as these items may contain dangerous substances such as mercury. SSF Scavenger does not accept mixed/broken e-waste as part of their e-waste collection / recycling program. Alternative Ways to Recycle Staples' Take Back Program Staples offers free, in-store recycling for unwanted electronics, including fax machines, desktop computers, tablets, printers and other electronics. Locate your nearest Staples. Canon Consumer Products Recycling Program Canon offers a recycling program for certain consumer products like fax machines. Check if they can repair your item here or if they can recycle your item here. Ways to Reduce Send a Fax Electronically Instead of buying a fax machine, send and receive your faxes online with a service like MyFax or eFax for a monthly fee. Opt Out of Junk Faxes If you receive junk faxes from solicitors, opt out of receiving them. By law, companies that send junk faxes must include contact information so the recipient can opt out. To learn more, check out this FCC guide. Use Both Sides of the Paper Create a pile of paper that’s been used on one side next to your fax machine and use it to send faxes. Buy Used or High Quality Look into purchasing a used fax machine that’s in good condition, or buy a fax machine that’s high quality and will last a long time. Both of these options are better for the environment. Did You Know? The Problem of E-Waste E-waste is a dangerous business in India and China, where e-waste recycling plants release toxic chemicals into the air and cause health problems for recycling workers. To learn more about e-waste, check out The Story of Stuff Project.