Actually, I suspect it has more to do with the price of ink cartridges. I see inkjet printers listed for free removal as complete, all but the color cartridge. The price of the cartridge is such that it must cheaper to get a new printer or at least not worth keeping around. Having looked for cartridges lately, I realize where the manufacturers make their money.
Some examples:
Working color printer. Currently needs new color ink cartridge, but black and white works just fine. Includes all cables, installation software, and manuals!
As far as I know, it works, however it does not have an ink cartridge. Includes both power and USB cords.
I have a printer, probably needs ink,but worked when we last had it out
Part of it has to be how quickly HP — the most popular maker of this too-good-to-be-landfilled stuff — obsoletes their products: makes it hard to find refills, perhaps, but it seems a day or two doesn’t go by without a working printer showing up, either needing ink or just needing to be gone.