Meter

In an effort to improve the environment, the Facilities Management Department at Tennessee State University reconstructed its recycling program and now includes collecting empty ink cartridges. TSU is the first school in Tennessee to an effort in ink jet recycling.

While there is an active office paper and cardboard recycling program, the empty inkjet cartridge recycling program is in its pilot phase. Sept. 17 was the first day the campus had an opportunity to participate by donating the empty cartridges.

“It takes one hundred years for the cartridges to disintegrate, so we are striving for environmental savings,” said Eric Foster, supervisor of waste management.

There are nine discard locations on TSU’s main campus that hold computer labs with high computer volume usage.  The recycling department will monitor, collect, and the ship the empty laser toner cartridges to Envirosmart, the recycling company.

According to the official Envirosmart website,a cash rebate will be issued based on the donation; the profit will be used to enhance the university recycling program.  There are over 275 cartridges that qualify for cash rebates, and the rebates vary from 5 cents to $6.26.

“Recycling is more important than ost realize,” said Victoria Mays, an elementary education major from Humboldt, Tenn, “committing ourselves to the effort will not only enhance our campus but our world.”•

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