The Hidden Fundraising Opportunity Sitting in Office Supply Closets
, by Planet Green, 3 min reading time
When people think about fundraising, they often imagine events, sales campaigns, sponsorship drives, and donation requests. What many organizations don't realize is that a surprisingly valuable fundraising opportunity may already be sitting in offices throughout their community.
It's not cash.
It's not inventory.
It's empty inkjet cartridges.
The Cartridges Nobody Thinks About
Every day, businesses print invoices, contracts, shipping labels, reports, presentations, forms, and countless other documents. Eventually those cartridges run dry and are replaced.
Then something interesting happens.
Many offices don't recycle them.
Instead, empty cartridges are tossed into desk drawers, supply closets, storage cabinets, or breakroom boxes. Some eventually make their way into the trash. Others sit forgotten for months or even years.
For schools, churches, nonprofits, youth groups, and community organizations, these overlooked cartridges represent an opportunity.
Why Businesses Are Often the Best Source
While individuals may only use a few cartridges each year, businesses often go through dozens.
Consider just a few examples:
- Real estate offices
- Insurance agencies
- Medical practices
- Law offices
- Accounting firms
- Property management companies
- Local government offices
- Small manufacturers
- Community organizations
Many of these businesses have never been asked what they do with their empty cartridges.
Sometimes all it takes is a simple conversation.
A Simple Question Can Lead to Ongoing Support
Organizations looking to expand their fundraising efforts can reach out to local businesses with a straightforward request:
"Would you be willing to save your empty inkjet cartridges instead of throwing them away?"
Many businesses are happy to help when they learn the cartridges can support a local school, church, sports team, nonprofit, or community group.
Unlike traditional fundraising requests, no one is being asked to write a check or buy something they don't need. They're simply being asked to save an item they would otherwise discard.
Summer Is the Perfect Time to Build Relationships
Summer can be an excellent time to approach local businesses.
School activities may slow down, but businesses continue operating year-round. Many offices are less hectic during the summer months and may be more willing to consider community partnerships.
Organizations can use this time to:
- Introduce their recycling program
- Drop off collection boxes
- Provide informational flyers
- Establish regular pickup arrangements
- Build relationships before the busy fall season begins
A few participating businesses can create a steady stream of cartridges throughout the year.
Don't Overlook the Purchasing Side
Many organizations focus entirely on cartridge collection and miss another important opportunity.
Planet Green Recycle allows supporters to purchase ink and toner using an organization's Program ID.
When supporters use the Program ID while shopping, the organization benefits from those purchases as well.
This means businesses can potentially support an organization in two ways:
First, by recycling their empty cartridges.
Second, by purchasing replacement ink and toner through Planet Green Recycle using the organization's Program ID.
The same office that generates empty cartridges often needs replacement cartridges too.
Turning Waste Into Support
Millions of cartridges are discarded every year. Many of them come from businesses that would gladly support local organizations if they knew how.
The next time you're thinking about fundraising, look beyond the traditional approaches.
There may be a valuable source of support sitting in office supply closets throughout your community, waiting to be collected.
A simple conversation, a collection box, and a willingness to ask can transform something destined for the landfill into ongoing support for your organization.
Sometimes the best fundraising opportunities are the ones people have been throwing away all along.
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