1. Enlist the support of a group in your church to help do the promotion and work. Your youth group, an environmental ministry team, a young adult Sunday school class, a group of Tweenagers, or even just a family of hardcore recyclers will work. You don't need a lot of people to do the work, but having the support of a larger group will make it easier to spread the word. That team will either need to learn to do the packing and shipping, or they'll need to recruit a team of volunteers to occasionally do that work.
2. Choose a company (or even 2 or 3). Each recycling company has different policies about the minimum number required, what types of cartridges they take, and whether or not they accept both laser and inkjet cartridges. Some programs also accept old cell phones, iPods, computers, digital cameras, and handheld video game consoles as well. I have used Empties4Cash primarily, Planet Green secondarily, and my local Staples ("eco easy" program, which pays in store credit) as a backup option. Read through the options and details carefully, making a chart as you go to compare the options and requirements. There are a host of other programs, so grab a friend to share the research phase with you.
3. After selecting a company, you'll need to determine a convenient drop-off spot for the cartridges. I chose a convenient but relatively hidden spot below the committee mailboxes, and decorated a large box with bright neon pink paper so it would be easily noticed.
4. Set a goal, either of the number of cartridges or dollars you hope to get in the first 3 months. You'll be able to use that goal in your publicity, if you wish (e.g. by creating a giant thermometer that you color in as the cartridges are received.)
5. Next, begin your publicity. I recommend placing the list of acceptable cartridges on your website, along with any necessary instructions. (For example, I've found that it is best for the cartridges to be placed in a small plastic bag so that the print heads aren't damaged and the handlers don't have an issue with getting ink on their hands.) Put signs around the church, add articles in the newsletter and bulletin, pass out fliers to classes, make announcements in church, and so on. Choose an initial day 3-4 weeks away when people can begin to bring the cartridges, and make a BIG deal of the event in worship.
6. Seek to get at least one box sent in within the first 2-3 weeks of your program's launch, if possible, to help generate excitement and commitment to the program. Remember that it may take 2-3 weeks to get your initial check, and you'll want to use that as proof that the program is a great success.
7. Keep the program before people on a regular basis, and expand the program from time to time as your efforts take root. There are many simple ways to do that, such as creating a logo that can go on the website, having a regular spot in the monthly newsletter that updates the total raised, or even doing a children's sermon about the program every so often.
8. Encourage your parishioners to have people in their workplace take part. Many businesses are already taking part in such a program, but others are not, so spread the word far and wide! You could even try to get newspaper coverage of your efforts and invite the general public to contribute their cartridges, especially if you use the program to fund a poverty-related ministry.
9. If you decide to use the funds for an in-house ministry, consider setting aside a tithe from the total raised to share with a ministry outside your church walls.
10. Finally, spread the word to other churches! When you go to meetings with other clergy or educators, encourage them to get their church involved. Some programs even offer a referral bonus, so watch for that as you're doing your research.

Have experience with a particular recycling program? Have a tip to share? Add a comment to our blog, please!

~ by Tim Gossett