An image forming apparatus includes a main body frame, an image forming unit disposed in the main body frame and comprising an image carrier and a developing member, a gap control unit to selectively allow the image carrier to be in contact with or spaced apart from the developing member, a lever member disposed at one end of the gap control unit to operate the gap control unit to be moved between a contact position where the image carrier contacts the developing member and a separation position where the image carrier is spaced apart from the developing member, and a waste developer receptacle detachably disposed in the main body frame and having a lever member receiving groove to receive the lever member, wherein if the waste developer receptacle is removed from the main body frame, the image carrier is spaced apart from the developing member.