| Whether you're helping your third grade class | | | | of cartridges internally-so having your |
| raise money for its next field trip or organizing | | | | organization's members check with their |
| your big nonprofit's yearly fundraising drive, you | | | | employers-and their families' employers-to see if |
| can earn more money for your organization-by | | | | they will let them collect used cartridges for |
| collecting used cartridges. Here's how it works. | | | | recycling can get some results. Recycling |
| Who Pays for Your Used Cartridges? | | | | cartridges is a good move for businesses-it can |
| Some recycling companies collect your used | | | | back up a green reputation if they've been trying |
| cartridges-and will pay you for every cartridge | | | | to build one. Check with your place of work and |
| you send in. Then they usually sell the cartridges | | | | have your members do the same. If you're |
| to companies that recycle them and sell them as | | | | raising money for a school, have the kids ask |
| third-party used cartridges. | | | | their parents to check with the companies where |
| Each one works slightly differently. Sometimes, | | | | they work. |
| the charity gets all the profit from the sale of the | | | | Write a press release. Once you know where |
| used cartridges. Sometimes they get most, with | | | | your collection points will be, write a press release |
| a small amount going to the company. Some | | | | about your program and distribute it to local news |
| companies pay you directly-and then sell the | | | | outlets. Focus your angle on raising money |
| cartridges on their own. Some will even pay your | | | | through recycling, and be sure to include |
| postage-or send a car round to pick up your haul. | | | | information on where people can bring individual |
| A few companies that do this kind of work | | | | cartridges for recycling-as well as how businesses |
| include Cartridges 4 Charity - | | | | can sign up toparticipate with your program. |
| cartridges4charity.co.uk/ and Empty Cartridge - | | | | Write a web page. If your organization already |
| emptycartridge.co.uk/. Do an online search for | | | | has a website, make sure it includes information |
| "cartridge recycling for charity" in your area, and | | | | about your recycling drive. Include information on |
| check with the programs that look like they might | | | | what projects the proceeds will fund and how |
| be the best fit for you. | | | | people and businesses can get involved. If you |
| You can also sell your cartridges directly to | | | | write a press release or do any other publicity, |
| remanufacturers who repurpose old cartridges to | | | | make sure your website address is included as a |
| sell again online. You may have to pay postage, | | | | place where people can get more information. |
| but if you find a company that will give you | | | | Write letters. Send out letters to your |
| enough money to make a profit for your | | | | organization's mailing list, making sure everyone in |
| organization above the overhead costs, it's still a | | | | your community base knows about the drive. |
| good investment. These companies usually pay | | | | Include information on where they can drop off |
| more per cartridge than middleman organizations. | | | | their cartridges, the types of cartridges accepted, |
| How Can You Get the Word Out? | | | | and how they can get involved-either by |
| Once you have a partner for your cartridge | | | | contributing money or time or by enlisting the help |
| recycling drive and know how much you can | | | | of their own places of work. |
| make for each cartridge you collect, you're ready | | | | Recycling used printer ink cartridges can be a |
| to start the fundraising drive. Here are a few | | | | great way to earn money for your cause. Many |
| ideas for collecting old cartridges for recycling. | | | | cartridge recycling companies only accept |
| Partner with some local stores. Check with some | | | | cartridges in bulk-and if you can collect enough |
| local electronics and business supply stores that | | | | cartridges, you can take advantage of their |
| sell ink and toner cartridges in your area. Some of | | | | recycling programs. Find a company that will pay |
| them may be willing to allow you to set up a | | | | for your used cartridges, set up collection points, |
| collection point inside the store for shoppers to | | | | and then let the public know-and you should be |
| deposit their used cartridges. | | | | able to earn a decent amount of money for your |
| Check with local businesses. Businesses use plenty | | | | organization, school, or nonprofit. |