Recycle Inkjet Printer Cartridges

Want to be green? A simple way to begin is to recycle your ink printer cartridge. According to statistics, only 5 percent of empty printer cartridges are currently being recycled. Wow, this means that 95 percent of these items are simply discarded and end up in our landfills. We need to stop this needless assault on our landfills, especially when churches, charities, and schools can benefit. This article will teach you several ways to recycle the printer ink cartridges in your life.

Things you’ll need

Empty ink cartridges

Desire to be green

Did you know that Plastics used in printer cartridges can take over 10 centuries (over 1000 years) to decompose. Furthermore, it takes 2 1/2 ounces of petroleum oil to make one new inkjet cartridge. Wow, that is scary! Not as scary as the following statistics: One school can use 300 ink cartridges per year, one student can use 6 to 10 ink cartridges per year, and the biggy - A medium-sized business can use between 900 and 1,600 ink cartridges per year, or even more. And remember that only 5 percent are recycled!

To start a new trend of recycling ink cartridges, we must start now! There are many ways to recycle for cash, for charity, for fundraising, or just to be green. I have listed several links in the Resource Section so you can get started today!

According to the Recycle4Charity website, they promote to businesses, organizations, government and individuals to donate their old cell phones, empty virgin used laser toner and inkjet printer cartridges plus new unopened genuine original branded surplus imaging supplies for copiers, printers, and fax machines to participating beneficiaries of their choice. Whether the beneficiary is a school, church, or non-profit organization, these empty cartridges and wireless phones are providing extra dollars to help these worthy causes.

Planet Green, the Recycle Place, and Cartridges for Kids also offer cash and fundraising opportunities. See the Resource Section below for links.

Companies like Staples, Office Depot, and Office Max also offer recycling options such as 3 dollars reward points for each cartridge. Each company has different options; just ask the management what recycling program his/her store offers. If they don’t currently recycle, maybe you could gently suggest that it would be a great idea!

The free Recycling website offers to purchase your cartridges and cell phones.  They even provide promotional materials to promote a recycling drive in your community! I hope this article has prompted you to start recycling at your home, in your businesses, and at your schools.  Have a great day!  And don't forget to rate and comment on my articles.   I would really like to hear from you!

Website Links to Recycle

Cartridges for Kids

http://www.cartridgesforkids.com/recycle.html

Recycle Place

http://www.recycleplace.com/

Planet Green

http://www.planetgreenrecycle.com/

Recycle 4 Charity

http://www.recycle4charity.com/store.tpl?rnd=283&cart=D219BB0A-0784-4048-9910-24061A5B7C39&

Free Recycling

http://www.freerecycling.com/

Free Recycling – Free Promo Material

http://www.freerecycling.com/Forms/Free_Promo_Material.htm