Warning – changes to Tesco ink cartridge recycling policies

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I wrote recently about earning Avios points via Tesco Clubcard by buying cheap used printer ink cartridges on eBay and then selling them to Tesco’s recycling partner.

You earn 50 – 100 Tesco Clubcard points (120-240 Avios) per cartridge, which allows you to generate fairly cheap Avios points if you are happy to make the effort required.

The recycling company behind the scheme has quietly slipped out a new ‘price list’. One key change is that HP920 and HP940 cartridges – two very popular models because they are readily available – will no longer be accepted.

This change came into effect immediately, so there is a risk that some people will be left with a box of HP920 or HP940 cartridges which can no longer be used.

Hopefully no Head for Points readers are caught up, but it is a reminder that you always run a risk with this sort of scheme. You obviously have no grounds for complaint to the recycling company, given that you are not meant to be bulk buying cartridges via eBay in the first place …..

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Category

Tesco Clubcard

This article is closed to new posts. Discussion continues in the HfP Forums.

squills says:

24 Feb24 February 16:20

Don’t use Collect+ as their T&Cs state they won’t compensate you if your inks go missing.
scroogemcduck says:

24 Feb24 February 20:23

Spoke to Recycling Factory today – points now being added to list sent to Tesco, as they were sent before the change. Very nice lady on the phone, very helpful. Kudos to Recycling Factory, they could have not honoured it but bravo to them for doing the right thing.
Simon says:

1 Mar1 March 17:08

The list has been updated again although the revision date on the bottom of the PDF hasn’t changed. PG-40’s are now worth 50 points, only HP301 cartridges was a date after 07/01/2014 are being accepted.
- Mark says:
  
  2 Mar2 March 20:41
  
  Just spotted that as well. I’m not sure about the significance of the HP301 date. Is that expiry or date of manufacture? Would make me a bit wary about acquiring those at present.
dandannn says:

3 Mar3 March 15:52

I’ve managed to source some empty ink cartridges worth 100 points each in which I have ordered in bulk to lower the price per unit which still allows for a reasonable price.

If anyone is still looking to purchase please get in touch, I can send them directly to the recycling factory and will be making next to nothing on top of what I paid upfront.

Email = dan.groves@hotmail.co.uk
squills says:

3 Mar3 March 17:19

Tesco uses a simple system – either 50 or 100 points per ink. On most 100 point inks, you’re a lot better off going for the 100 points (= 240 Avios or £2.40 @ 1p an Avios) than going for cash straight from RF.

Yes there are a few £3 inks in the cash alternative – but given this need for Tesco to have a simple system, I think £2.40 in Avios across the board for 100 point inks is pretty good 😉
Elena says:

8 Mar8 March 16:47

I have sent to the recycle factory some cartridges. 1 month passed and as I didn’t see any points I sent an e-mail. The Recycle Factory replied that the cartridges were processed successfully on 19 Feb.
I still do not see the points. Tesco told me to wait until 19 March.
Does it really take so long to credit the account?
I’m afraid that the points might have been credited to the Charity as I’m using a business address.
I have been using this address for 4 years as this is where I receive my post.
I have bought the cartridges from ebay and… I do not want to lose 100 pounds.
Do you know who can tell me what is the status? Tesco’s reply is too general. Will it make any difference if I change the address now…
- Simon says:
  
  8 Mar8 March 20:23
  
  Hi Elena, I’ve got 1000 points for 10 cartridges missing from around the same time period. I don’t think your address is the problem (my address is residential), I wonder if there was some issue with the points transfer from TRF to Tesco. Normally points are transferred much quicker than a month after processing.
  
  I rang Tesco the other day to see what had happened to my points and the person I spoke to said he’d submit a missing point form for the points. Maybe ring Tesco again and see if you get a more helpful response.
  - Rob says:
    
    8 Mar8 March 20:45
    
    If TRF confirms they got them, you will be OK. It may take a few calls but you will get the points.
  - Elena says:
    
    8 Mar8 March 20:57
    
    Thank you. I will contact them again.