Contact an ink cartridge recycling company to facilitate the fundraiser. For example, Empties4Cash, Toner Buyer and Recycle for Life offer among the highest support for participants. Each company pays cash for the recycled product and offers free shipping and collection boxes. Toner Buyer limits how many patrons it accepts in any specific geographical region. At publication date, Empties4Cash offered 25 cents to $4 per cartridge, prepaid shipping and free collection boxes. Toner Buyer offered 50 cents to $22 (for one Xerox model) and prepaid UPS shipping labels. Recycle For Life offered 10 cents to $14 per cartridge and prepaid shipping.
Talk to board members and the school principal to obtain authorization for the fundraiser. Bring information on the host company, how much revenue you expect, and the level of student involvement for the fundraiser to show you've done your research. Note to the board that no start-up cost and no minimum participation exist to take part in this fundraiser. If only a limited number of students collect ink cartridges, the recycling companies offer the same benefits.
Make a checklist for the students regarding their involvement in the fundraiser. Include what type of ink cartridges are accepted, a number each should strive to collect, and start and end dates to bring in cartridges. Provide a separate sheet for parents to take and distribute at their workplaces. Explain in the checklist the environmental benefits and ease of participation.
Issue a press release for the local newspaper, arrange for announcements on the radio, and spread posters and flyers around key businesses and facilities to ask for donations of ink cartridges. Set up recycling bins around town labeled with the purpose of the fundraiser, encouraging the general public to donate cartridges as well.
Contact the recycling company to receive shipping supplies and shipping label. Prepare cartridges for shipment and schedule a pickup or drop the package at a shipping facility. Payment for the accepted recycled ink cartridges will be deposited or mailed within a week.
Send letters to all corporate donors thanking them for making contributions to the fundraiser. In the letters, encourage companies to continue collecting cartridges throughout the year. This will build support for future involvement.