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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 …..

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards

How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus card

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

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Barclaycard Avios card

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There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

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British Airways American Express

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You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

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The Platinum Card from American Express

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We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.

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You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.

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There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

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American Express Business Gold

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Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.

Category

Tesco Clubcard

Comments (46)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Adam says:
    23 Feb23 February 10:44

    Phew, I’ve had around 85 HP56 cartridges that have been sitting in a bag, ready to go for the last week and hadn’t got around to sending them yet. Luckily they are still on the list, but just goes to show you need to turn these over quickly.

  • Bobby says:
    23 Feb23 February 11:12

    I just purchased 300 x HP’s for £200 that have been taken of the list… any idea what best to do with them? ebay?

  • scroogemcduck says:
    23 Feb23 February 13:47

    How important is the 4th Feb date? Waiting for a bulk load to post, I have proof I sent them before 4th Feb, but they were signed and delivered on 5th Feb to Recycling Factory. Going to give them a call Monday.

    • Rob says:
      23 Feb23 February 14:38

      You should be OK, see Graham’s comment above.

      • scroogemcduck says:
        23 Feb23 February 14:59

        Thanks – it is one of the reasons I used MyHermes now, I have proof of the exact times the parcel was collected and delivered.

    • jason says:
      24 Feb24 February 11:45

      Just spoke to tesco recycling, order processed on 6th Feb (920’s) however they could see i posted them before the 4th and have sent over the order for 9900 clubcard points. 🙂
      101 cartridges submitted, 2 failed.

  • Mark says:
    23 Feb23 February 17:05

    I was also lucky in getting the points for 75 HP920s credited on the 27th January. It goes to underline there is a risk in this, albeit one that is still probably worth taking.

    I previously bought 13 940 XLs without realising that the colour 940 XL cartridges were not on the list anyway. Sent a couple of them a week ago anyway to see if they worked, but clearly now that isn’t going to happen. Never mind £68.44 paid for 7800 clubcard points so far this year so all-in-all not bad.

  • Mark says:
    23 Feb23 February 17:21

    Updating my ebay saved search… it looks like Lexmark cartridges are off the list as well.

  • uk1 says:
    24 Feb24 February 02:50

    I must be the only one that decided to keep the cartridges and actually bought a printer for my 364’s. For the very first time in my life I do not feel mean about printing stuff.

    • squills says:
      24 Feb24 February 12:09

      You’re not the only one 😉

      Got a HP 4620 in the sales precisely for this reason.

  • pazza2000 says:
    24 Feb24 February 10:25

    I’m not surprised by this; actually thought this change (devaluation in a sense) would have happened sooner.

  • Chris says:
    24 Feb24 February 13:18

    Anyone know if i can send a bulk box of cartridges via the FREEPOST address or if i should just send them via a courier instead?

    • Rob says:
      24 Feb24 February 13:25

      There is a weight on FP IIRC, check that. Fine otherwise but get Certificate of Posting.

    • oliuk says:
      24 Feb24 February 13:46

      PI can confirm I have sent a box of 100 using their FreePost with no problems!

      • Jason says:
        24 Feb24 February 17:20

        I used their free post service and had no problems. I did get a certificate of posting just in case.

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