Turn Summer Cleaning Into Summer Giving

June 03 2026, by Planet Green, 3 min reading time

When school lets out for summer, many fundraising programs naturally hit the pause button. Students are on break, teachers are away from campus, and the daily routines that help keep fundraising efforts visible begin to fade into the background.

But there's one fundraising opportunity that doesn't need a gymnasium, a bake sale, a car wash, or even a scheduled event. It's free inkjet cartridge recycling, and purchasing replacement cartridges with Planet Green Recycle.

It can continue all summer long from homes, offices, churches, community groups, and businesses through ink cartridge recycling.

The Summer Opportunity Most Fundraisers Overlook

Throughout the school year, supporters often print from home, work, or their small businesses. Empty cartridges end up tucked away in desk drawers, filing cabinets, storage closets, and home offices.

Summer is when many people finally get around to cleaning those spaces.

Parents clean out home offices. Teachers organize classrooms. Businesses catch up on projects. Families tackle long-overdue garage cleanouts.

Every one of those activities creates an opportunity to recover empty inkjet cartridges that might otherwise end up in the trash.

Instead of letting those cartridges become landfill waste, supporters can recycle them through Planet Green Recycle and help support the organizations they care about.

A Simple Collection Box Can Still Make a Difference

Many of the most successful Planet Green Recycle partners started with something surprisingly simple: an empty box.

A collection box placed in a church lobby, office break room, reception area, community center, or volunteer office serves as a constant reminder that cartridges can be recycled instead of discarded.

People may not remember a social media post they saw three weeks ago, but they do notice a collection box every time they walk past it.

A visible collection point turns recycling into a habit rather than an occasional activity.

Planet Green Recycle provides printable collection box signs and promotional materials that make it easy to set up a collection area and begin gathering cartridges immediately.

Don't Forget About Ink and Toner Purchases

Many supporters know about recycling cartridges, but fewer realize that purchases can also help support participating organizations.

When supporters purchase ink and toner through Planet Green Recycle using an organization's Program ID, a portion of the sale benefits that organization.

This creates a year-round fundraising opportunity that extends beyond cartridge collection.

A supporter may only recycle a handful of cartridges each year, but they may purchase ink and toner multiple times. By connecting those purchases to a Program ID, supporters can continue helping their favorite school, church, nonprofit, or community group while purchasing products they already need.

Summer Is the Perfect Time to Reach New Supporters

During the school year, fundraising messages often compete with sports schedules, school events, meetings, and countless other activities.

Summer offers a chance to reconnect with supporters when schedules may be more flexible.

A simple email, social media post, newsletter mention, or flyer can remind supporters that:

Empty inkjet cartridges can be recycled for free.
Recycling helps keep cartridges out of landfills.
Participating organizations can earn funds through the program.
Ink and toner purchases using a Program ID can also support the organization.

Sometimes all it takes is a reminder.