Is it ethical to sell something your employer was going to throw away?

Question

I recently replaced the toner and drum cartridges in my work printer and was told that my employer does not recycle the old ones. I have found a local toner recycler that pays for old toner cartridges. Would it be wrong to sell the old ones to them, since my employer was going to just throw them away.

Answer 1

Michelle....I'd ask your boss for permission to take them first.

By asking...it shows respect for him and for his company's property...and it shows that you're honest person.

Think of it this way.
If you take the cartridges without asking, and you get caught, you might be fired. Is the couple of bucks that you'll get from the cartridges worth your job and your reputation?

Nope.

Sooner or later the boss will hear, see or be told about the cartridges......it's better to be honest and have no worries.

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Answer 2

Yep, unless you tell the boss and ask if they don't want to recycle then you can offer to dispose of them. It's a dicey area. Because my experience as been that if throwing something away puts money in employee pockets stuff get thrown out at a faster rate.

Answer 3

a latest somebody gave me that I on no account use. i can not ever throw it away by using fact no one else has ever given me a latest. some day my tale would be recommended. All people who made me out to be a monster would be positioned on the spot and puzzled unto shame.

Answer 4

I see nothing wrong with it morally. I mean if you didn't take it, it would just go into landfills and pollute the earth. You could always donate it to a charity, too, if you are concerned with ethics.

Answer 5

I'd ask first, just to be safe. With some companies it's not legal to "steal" things thrown away...

Answer 6

Hell yes. Once in the trash anyone is free to take it. Just think of it as a bonus.

Answer 7

You should ask your boss first.