Free Inkjet Cartridge Recycling Through USPS

Recently we reported on the thINK FOOD program which allows Canadians to donate to local food banks by recycling inkjet cartridges and cell phones. Now the United States Postal Service has announced the Mail Back program allowing U.S. citizens in select cities to mail their used inkjet cartridges, mp3 players, Blackberries, digital cameras, and other electronics to be recycled.

The program is being tested in ten cities, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego, and may be expanded if the program is successful. Citizens can pick up free mailing envelopes at USPS Post Offices. The used electronics will be shipped to Clover Technologies Group who will recycle the parts and sell remanufactured products.

From the press release:

Postage is paid for by Clover Technologies Group, a nationally recognized company that recycles, remanufactures and remarkets inkjet cartridges, laser cartridges and small electronics. If the electronic item or cartridges cannot be refurbished and resold, its component parts are reused to refurbish other items, or the parts are broken down further and the materials are recycled. Clover Technologies Group has a “zero waste to landfill” policy: it does everything it can to avoid contributing any materials to the nation’s landfills.

In a recent report by the Associated Press, it was claimed that over 300,000 tons of electronics are collected each year for recycling in the United States, and that over 50% is shipped to other countries like China and India to be recycled or disposed of in landfills. In poor work conditions, overseas workers are exposed to toxic chemicals.

China bans the import of electronics waste, but exporters get around the laws by claiming that the waste is in good working condition. Customs officials cannot inspect all goods to verify the quality of the electronics, so much of the electronics is allowed into the country, where most is disposed of as waste.

The Mail Back program aims to reduce used electronics devices that end up in American and overseas landfills at no expense to American consumers.

Related Sources:
USPS Mail Back Program Press Release
Clover Technologies Group
Daily Tech: USPS Pilot Program Offers Free Mail-in Electronics Recycling
Komotv.com: America ships electronic waste overseas