Old ink cartridges for profit?

Question

Especially for anyone who's part of a company or corporation that goes through a lot of catridges and toner, what to do with the old ones? I've seen things advertising recycling or getting paid for them, like Office Max commercials, or some charities like Food for the Poor for instance, that recycles them and use the profits to support their own programs- (http://www.foodforthepoor.org/site/... Is anybody familiar with any of these options, or know of any other beneficial solutions or things people do with empty cartridges, rather than tossing them into the garbage without thinking twice? It feels like a waste to throw them out when I see ways to, and organizations, that take advantage of what would otherwise be garbage.

Answer 1

There are postage-free envelopes in the electronics section of Wal-Mart that allows you to mail in your small used ink cartridges. You don't get compensated for them, but they get recycled instead of ending up at a landfill.

The larger cartridges that are used in businesses, can be refilled several times, to save money. After that, it can be sent back to the company, and a new one purchased.

I don't know about it profiting charities, but that IS an interesting concept!

Answer 2

Check your local library, or schools in your area to see if they recycle ink cartridges for funds for schools/libraries/etc. I am a teacher at a private school (1-12) and we recycle used cartridges, and use the monies generated for school. Our local library has started a recycling thing to get extra money for new books.