Recycling Printer Ink Cartridges

Why should we take the time to recycle those little ink cartridges? They are so small, how much damage or space could they be taking up?

* To make one ink cartridge the manufacturer has to use one gallon of oil.

* Each second of every day, 365 days a year approx. 8 ink cartridges are thrown away in the United States. Not to mention other countries! That adds up to more then 350,000,000 filling up the landfills in the USA.

* A laser printer cartridge can take up to 450 years to decompose.

*90% of ink cartridges in the landfills are incinerated which adds to the pollution in the USA.

What can you do?

Many companies have started ink cartridge recycling programs. Some of them are formal programs, fundraising programs for charity and some are complete business models. You might check into the following:

* Office Depot (check availability in your area)
Our local office depot will either give you three dollars off your order or will give the customer a ream of recycled office depot copy paper with the return of a used ink cartridge. Even if you do not need all the extra paper, you could donate it to your favorite church, school or preschool.

* Cartridge World USA
A franchise company that started in Duxbury, MA and has many franchises all over the New England area. (I grew up in that area so wanted to mention this company at the top of my list). They are refill retailers for used ink cartridges. For more information contact Dan Scheerer at 167 Washington Street, Norwell, MA 781-878-6003 for locations near you.

*Funding Factory
The Funding Factory has fundraising programs for organizations to collect items to be recycled and they offer points and rewards.
fundingfactory.com

* Think Green
They have a recycling program for ink cartridges and cell phones.
Greentec International Inc.
95 Struck Court
Cambridge, Ontario
N1R 8L2
Canada
phone: (519) 624-3322
fax: (519) 624-3323
CAN/USA toll free: 1.888.265.2895

* Laser-Tone International
(800) EARTH-58

* Eco-Office
eco-office.com
Provides recycling information for ink cartridges and other office supplies

* Environmental Laser
(800) 442-8391
They provide information about having your laser ink cartridge remanufactured.

*Dell Computer Recycling Program
dell.com

International Cartridge Recycling Association
(202) 857-1154

*HP Ink Jet Cartridge Recycling Program
hp.com

*Staples Recycle for Education Program
Staples® donates $3 directly to the school of your choice for every eligible ink or toner cartridge you collect. (Check for availability in your area)
staplesrecyclefored.com