I have become a loyal Staples customer for one main reason: Their ink cartridge recycling program. Bring them your tired, dried out, used up HP, Lexmark and Dell cartridges to any store, and Staples will give you a $3.00-off coupon that can be used immediately. Best of all, you can use up to three coupons per purchase.
What I didn’t realize is that there are lots of options for recycling printer cartridges. ThinkRecycle.com lets you earn money for schools or nonprofits by recycling printer cartridges and cell phones. Not feeling so philanthropic? Try FundingFactory.com, which allows you to earn credits toward new equipment for your business when you turn in those old phones and cartridges.
And, speaking of those old mobile phones, one of the most worthwhile and smart programs I’ve come across in recent years is the Verizon HopeLine program. Give your old mobile phone back to Verizon. The phones are refurbished or recycled. With the funds raised from the sale of the refurbished phones, Verizon Wireless donates wireless phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence, and makes contributions to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.
It may not save you money, but it may help save a life.
What’s your fave recycling or combo do-good/fundraising program? Share it in the Comments section.
