Where Can You Get Ink Cartridges Refilled in 2026? Costco, Walgreens, Cartridge World and Better Options

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Published October 14, 2026. Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Quick answer

In 2026, no major US retail chain refills ink cartridges in store. Costco ended its ink refill service in February 2021, Walgreens ended its refill service around 2020, and Staples and Office Depot only recycle empties. Your remaining in-person options are Cartridge World franchise stores and independent local refill shops, and you should call ahead because many cartridges can no longer be refilled reliably. For most people, the simplest equivalent is a remanufactured cartridge: an original cartridge that has been professionally cleaned, refilled and tested in a factory, shipped to your door.

Ink refill options in 2026: Costco ended, Walgreens ended, Staples and Office Depot recycle only, Cartridge World franchises, remanufactured cartridges

Does Costco still refill ink cartridges?

No. Costco's ink refill counters lived inside its photo centers and used automated refill stations that worked on original-brand cartridges only. When Costco closed its in-store photo departments in February 2021, the refill service ended with them (The Recycler, January 2021). Costco's member notice said declining print volumes no longer justified on-site photo printing. Ventura County columnist David Goldstein noted at the time that these photo shops were "the last local options for printer ink refill services" in his area.

If an article still tells you to take cartridges to Costco, it's out of date.

Does Walgreens refill ink cartridges?

No. Walgreens ended its in-store "printer recharge" refill service about a year before Costco, around early 2020, according to the same Ventura County report. We found no evidence of any Walgreens location offering refills in 2025 or 2026. Walgreens photo departments still print photos, but they won't refill your cartridges.

Does Staples, Office Depot or Walmart refill ink?

No. None of them refills cartridges. What they do offer is recycling with rewards:

  • Staples gives Easy Rewards points for empty cartridges recycled in store, with monthly limits and exclusions (Staples recycling page). Full current terms: Staples ink and toner recycling.
  • Office Depot / OfficeMax runs a similar rewards-for-empties program for members. Check the latest terms in-store or online before you go.
  • Walmart sells cartridges but does not refill them.

More recycling options, including programs that pay cash: how and where to recycle ink cartridges.

Is Cartridge World still open?

Yes, but it's much smaller than it was. Cartridge World passed 1,000 stores worldwide in 2006 (Franchising.com); its US site now cites about 250 locations globally (Cartridge World USA). Stores are independently owned franchises, and many now focus on selling remanufactured cartridges and managed printing for businesses rather than refilling while you wait. Prices and services vary by store, so call first and ask:

  • Do you refill my specific cartridge number, or swap it for a remanufactured one?
  • Will the chip be reset so my printer reads the ink level?
  • What happens if my printer rejects it?

Why can't many cartridges be refilled anymore?

  • Chips. Most modern cartridges carry a chip that tracks ink use. After a refill, the printer may still read the cartridge as empty or "used," or refuse it. Some chips can be reset; many can't.
  • Firmware updates. HP's Dynamic Security, delivered through firmware updates, is designed to block cartridges with non-HP chips. HP settled a US class action over it in 2024 without paying consumers or admitting wrongdoing, but agreed to keep disclosing it and let users choose whether to install updates (The Register). Background: HP firmware and third-party ink.
  • Subscription lock-ins. HP says HP+ printers require Original HP ink to operate even after the Instant Ink trial ends (HP). Refills won't work in an HP+ printer.
  • Printhead wear. On cartridges with a built-in printhead (HP 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67; Canon PG/CL), every refill reuses a head that was never designed for unlimited cycles. Printing a cartridge completely dry before refilling can burn it out.

From the founder: People are often surprised when I tell them a good remanufactured cartridge is a refilled cartridge, just done properly. The empty is inspected, cleaned, refilled with ink matched to that cartridge, the chip is handled, and then it's print-tested before it ships. That's the step a quick counter refill or a home syringe kit can't do, and it's why remanufactured cartridges are so much more consistent. – William Elward

Refill vs. remanufactured vs. new: which is cheapest?

Option Typical cost Reliability Hassle
Store refill (where available) Low Varies by shop and cartridge Drive there, wait or come back
DIY refill kit Lowest Inconsistent; messy High (see home refill guide)
Remanufactured cartridge Well below OEM Factory-tested Ships to your door
New OEM cartridge Highest High Low

Castle Ink's inkjet cartridges are remanufactured in the United States and covered by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. A few popular examples:

Remanufactured HP 67XL black and tri-color ink cartridges from Castle Ink Remanufactured HP 962XL black, cyan, magenta and yellow ink cartridge 4-pack from Castle Ink

Not sure which number you need? Use Find Ink by Printer. Want to understand the categories? Read compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink.

Tips if you do get a cartridge refilled

  1. Refill before it runs completely dry, especially cartridges with a built-in printhead.
  2. Turn off automatic firmware updates first: how to stop HP firmware updates from blocking your ink.
  3. Expect a "used" or "non-genuine" message and press OK to continue. Ink-level gauges may stop working.
  4. Run one cleaning cycle and a nozzle check before important printing.
  5. If the printer rejects it, see printer says cartridge not recognized.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get my printer ink refilled near me?

Search for a Cartridge World store or an independent "ink refill" or "toner" shop in your town, then call to confirm they handle your cartridge number. Big-box stores and pharmacies no longer refill.

How much does it cost to refill an ink cartridge?

It varies by shop and cartridge, so ask for a quote. Compare it with the price of a remanufactured cartridge, which is already refilled, tested and guaranteed.

Can you refill HP 67 or HP 65 cartridges?

Physically yes, since they have a sponge reservoir, but chips and HP firmware can make refilled cartridges unreliable, and HP+ printers reject them. Remanufactured HP 67XL cartridges avoid most of that.

Can you refill an Epson cartridge?

Epson cartridges are pure ink tanks with chips that often won't reset after a refill. Epson's EcoTank printers are designed to be refilled from bottles instead.

Is refilling ink bad for the printer?

Not inherently, but poor-quality ink, air in the cartridge or overfilling can clog nozzles and leak. See refilling your own cartridges: do this first.

Related guides

About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has more than 20 years of experience in the printer and imaging supplies industry.

Need replacement printer ink cartridges? Shop printer ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.

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Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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