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Dana Ludwig, the school's site technology coordinator, estimates that Los Perales has earned between $100-$150 per year by recycling the cartridges through Funding Factory. Ludwig said, "The nice feature about this program is that the company provides UPS shipping labels for free. I just pack up the cartridges in a box, affix a shipping label, and then it gets picked up along with the other UPS packages at the school."
Funding Factory (www.fundingfactory.com), was founded in 1997. According to its website, the company and its participants "have helped keep over 43.3 million pounds of items out of landfills, simply by collecting used toner and inkjet printer cartridges. Our mission is to recycle and remanufacture used toner and cartridges, giving items the second life they deserve, while providing a simple way for organizations to earn money."
Ludwig said Los Perales has been partnered with Funding Factory for almost 20 years. The only item they don't accept is copy machine toner tubes. While the amount paid for each cartridge may vary according to the brand, model number and type of cartridge (laser or inkjet), the program itself is 100 percent free.
If you have cartridges piling up around the house or office, bring them to Los Perales Elementary's office, and Ludwig will gratefully accept them. "It is nice to know that we are doing something to help the environment while earning a little money for the school," she said.
Reach the reporter at:
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA