PA Environment Digest

Imagine turning used ink cartridges into a playground, a classroom of laptops, even an entire computer lab! That's what six honorary recycling champions have done through returning used ink cartridges and cell phones with Erie-based FundingFactory, a fundraising through recycling program specifically designed for schools and non-profit organizations.

"In the spirit leading up to celebrating Earth Day, we are celebrating some of our top recycling partners and applauding them, and other participants like them, for their efforts," said Sean Michaels, President, FundingFactory. "We congratulate these champions for what they're doing for their communities and the nation via this effort."

Champions like Kim Rosson, of Harrison, Arkansas. Kim, a Skyline Heights PTA parent volunteer spearheaded her Funding Factory campaign nearly 10 years ago. To date, Skyline Heights PTA's efforts have earned $28,000, enough funds to build a playground and provide laptops for a classroom. All this, while saving these cartridges from going to our nation's landfills.

"It's just so easy and it was something that the PTA could do and we ran with it! Now, we do it for every school in the district. It has been amazing and it cost us nothing. You just watch your points and your money grow," said Kim Rosson.

Laura Grimwood from the Lansing City Rescue Mission says the program has raised $37,000 for their organization.

"This has been a truly amazing program for us. It really runs itself. Our volunteers have really taken it upon themselves to solicit their doctors' offices, workplaces, daycare facilities and anywhere they go regularly to ask them to recycle their cartridges. Sometimes, I almost feel guilty getting that big check because it is such an easy program," Grimwood said.

For the West Boylston Public School system in West Boylston, MA, FundingFactory translates to $40,000 worth of laptops, projectors, and entire multi-media curriculum otherwise out of financial reach to them.

Steve Pellowe, technology coordinator for the West Boylston Public Schools system says, "At this point, this program is a no-brainer for any school district looking to increase fundraising."

FundingFactory's list of Recycling Champions includes a pediatric nurse, individual schools, even an entire school district and its communities. Most of the organizations have been members of the recycling fundraising program since its inception.

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