Here’s something most people don’t realize: those empty ink cartridges sitting in your drawer aren’t just trash—they’re actually worth something. And not just to the environment. There’s a mail-in program that makes it surprisingly easy to recycle cartridges from home—for free—and even get paid or raise money for a cause in the process.

We came across this program while looking into alternatives to tossing cartridges in the trash. What we found was both practical and surprisingly rewarding.

Why Throwing Ink Cartridges Away Is a Problem

Inkjet cartridges might look small, but they pack a heavy environmental punch. Each one is made of plastic, metal, and foam—and many contain residual ink that can leach chemicals into soil and water. Over 375 million ink cartridges are discarded annually in the U.S., and most end up in landfills where they can take up to 1,000 years to break down.

The good news? Most cartridges are actually reusable. In fact, remanufacturing companies can take your used cartridge, restore it, and get it back into circulation—cutting down on waste, saving resources, and helping reduce environmental impact.

How to Recycle from Home—for Free

One of the most convenient options we found is a nationwide mail-in recycling program offered by a company called Planet Green Recycle. The process is refreshingly simple:

  • Sign up for a free Program ID on their website.

  • Collect at least four empty inkjet cartridges (toner not accepted).

  • Download a prepaid shipping label.

  • Send them in from home—no cost to you.

You can choose to receive cash for accepted cartridges or have the funds donated to a cause of your choice—like a school, nonprofit, church, or youth group.

Earn Money or Support a Cause

What really caught our attention is how this recycling effort also supports fundraising. Whether you’re sending in cartridges as an individual or running a community-based collection drive, the program offers two earning options:

  • Cash Payouts for individuals who send in eligible cartridges.

  • Fundraiser Earnings for groups who sign up with a Program ID—earning money for each cartridge recycled, plus 20% from any ink or toner purchases made through the program.

It’s a simple way to turn waste into something good.

Which Cartridges Are Accepted?

Accepted models include many of the most common inkjets used today:

  • HP series (like 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 950, 951, etc.)

  • Canon series (like PG-245, CL-246, 210XL, 211XL, and others)

Note: toner cartridges are not accepted in this program, so stick to inkjet.

One More Tip: Buy Remanufactured to Keep the Cycle Going

If you want to go full circle, choosing remanufactured cartridges when it’s time to reorder ink is a great way to support the reuse economy. The same company behind the recycling program offers U.S.-made, professionally remanufactured cartridges under the DoorStepInk brand—with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and savings of up to 70% compared to brand-new cartridges.

If you’re participating in a fundraiser, purchases made with your Program ID also give 20% back to your group—so it’s a win all around.

Interested?

You can learn more or sign up at PlanetGreenRecycle.com to get started. It’s not often you find a recycling program that pays you back, but this one checks all the boxes: easy, impactful, and genuinely useful.