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Recycling and Charity
Yes, recycling is important for environmental and economic reasons, but did you know that it is also important for social reasons? Did you know that there are a variety of ways in which you can help other people, not just the environment, by recycling?
There are multiple organizations to which you can donate your used phones and other wireless devices, inkjet and toner cartridges, aluminum cans, and more. You can even fundraise for a favorite charity or cause – it is often much easier and reasonable for people to give away these items than to give money.
Aluminum
Aluminum is the perfect subject for recycling – it can be used in many applications; it can be recycled over and over again; and it is worth a lot more than other drink packaging. One of the most popular settings for an aluminum can fundraiser is a school. It is a great project for kids, and it raises much needed money for the school.
To get a program started at your school, you must first speak with administrators and get their support. You must be sure to have a place to store all of the cans until you can take them to a local recycling center. It is also a good idea to set up recycling boxes throughout your school and maybe in your community to make it easy for people to help – you can buy containers specifically for recycling, or you can make your own (i.e. paint a barrel blue with the chasing arrows symbol. Be sure to label it “aluminum cans only,” and don’t be surprised when you still find other trash inside!)
To make your fundraising efforts as beneficial as possible, be sure to get not just the students but the staff involved. Get people excited and motivated. Get the word out by sending letters home to parents, posting fliers in local businesses, putting inserts in school event programs, etc. Have a goal in mind, one that the kids will be excited about the fundraiser – even if the goal is not met, let kids see the huge pile of cans that they collected. Give them a reason to be proud of themselves. Teach them that even kids can make a big difference on society and on the environment.
You may even decide to have two aluminum can drives a year (or switch off every other year) – one for the school, and one for Habitat for Humanity. The money created by recycling cans for Habitat for Humanity goes to building homes for low-income families.
Wireless devices and printer cartridges
More often than not, people get a new cell phone – one that takes better photos or looks sleeker, etc. – before their current ones have lots their value. What to do with that leftover phone? Should it just be added to the piles of the landfill? No. Donate it. Even if it is broken, it might be worth something.
Keep in mind, though, that not all cell phones have value – old models that have been kept in your drawer for years are most likely not worth refurbishing. On the other hand, it is still a good idea to donate them, just in case, because some parts of cell phones without value can be and will be recycled. Note: recycling cell phones does not produce money – only reusing them will.
And not only does recycling cell phones help the environment and raise money for non-profits, but it also provides inexpensive phones for low-income persons.
What about a used printer cartridge? Should you just toss it out with the trash? No. Not only can harmful ink leak into the environment, but useful, non-decomposing, non-renewable plastic would also be thrown out. Why not donate it instead? Most likely (depending on its condition and make), it can be reused.
To find out how to best fundraise for your school or non-profit, first find a company that will take the supply that you gather and pay you for it. There are many available options online. Many of these companies will supply you with boxes, other supplies, and help to get you started.
One good option is the Funding Factory http://www.fundingfactory.com/, but many more excellent options exist. Ask around and see which other companies people and non-profits in your area used. Find out how satisfied they were.
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