You already make caring for the poor a part of your charitable giving. Now you can do even more for no extra money - and just a little extra effort - through a new Food For The Poor program called Recycling For The Poor.

Through Recycling For The Poor, we collect used printer cartridges and deliver them to a recycler for a contribution. We use the proceeds to fulfill the most desperate needs of the poor. The more cartridges we collect, the more funds we can raise and the more food, housing, medical aid and other help we can provide. We are seeking donations of used printer cartridges from individuals, businesses and corporations who want to make a difference in the lives of the poor and help the environment.

Click here to receive a postage paid container for recycling.

A remarkable, renewable opportunity, because they can be refilled and resold, used printer cartridges actually have a cash value. The values for empty qualifying inkjet cartridges range from $.25 to $4.50; the value for the majority of cartridges on our list is at least $2.

For $3, we can buy 20 pounds of rice and beans, which will feed a nutritious meal to 80 children," says Glen Belden, Food For The Poor's Director of Corporate and Planned Giving.

Of the estimated 300 million printer cartridges sold every year in the United States to businesses and individuals, only 2%, or 6 million cartridges, get recycled. The other 294 million cartridges, worth a minimum of $588 million, end up in the trash!

This isn't just a staggering amount of money: It's also a tremendous problem for the environment. Used cartridges still have small amounts of ink inside, which can contaminate groundwater supplies. Also, the sheer bulk of 294 million cartridges a year needlessly clogs landfills.

Before sending in your inkjet or toner cartridges, please confirm that the cartridges you are donating are on our list by clicking on the appropriate link below. Aftermarket or remanufactured cartridges do not qualify.

Please allow 10 working days to receive either free postage-paid recycling materials and/or an email response. Prayer requests are welcome and will be read at the morning devotional. If you have questions about Recycling For The Poor, please email us at recycle@foodforthepoor.org.