We often are asked “what happens to the items we send you for recycling.” Well, we’re happy to say that the items we collect are either sent to remanufactures to rebuild the item, or to certified recyclers that grind up the items into their native materials. They can then be used to create new items without harvesting new resources.
How it works:
Once items arrive at the GRF warehouse, they are each inspected to see: what SKU it is, how many there are and the condition of each.
Items we collect that pass our inspection are boxed up with like SKUs to be passed on to remanufacturers who rebuild the product for consumer re-use. This process uses fewer raw materials and continues the life of the original item for consumers to use at a reduced cost. These remanufacturers depend on us to supply them with the materials they need, and we depend on our participating organizations to get them to us!
Items that do not appear on our buyback list or are broken upon arrival are sent to certified recycling companies that specialize in those items. Some items, like cell phones, have some residual value in them that allow us to cover shipping costs of getting them to us, but not enough to pay our recyclers. Others items, like toners, cost us about $3 each to scrap recycle. That’s why its important to follow our shipping instructions for information on how to keep items in good condition. We’re happy to do the right thing though, and are proud to recycle everything we are sent so that items stay out of landfills.
Now that you know the life of a recyclable, why don’t you send some in?! Visit Global Re-Source Funding for all the information you need to go green and earn green!
cell phones · global re-source funding · Green lifestyle · ideas for going green · ink cartridges · ink toner cartridges · iPods · laptops · recycle · Recycling · reduce · remanufactured · resource · reuse · sustainability
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
This past Thursday (April 22nd, appropriately), GRF and our parent company OPRA celebrated 15 years in business. For the event, the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and North Kansas City Business Council honored us with a ribbon cutting, while we provided a live band and great food to celebrate the event.
Thank you to all of our recyclers who have helped us grow throughout the years and continue to be a leading company in the recycling/fundraising industry.
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As more and more focus is put on “being green” and everything that goes along with it, we wanted to offer some tips on 8 easy things you can do to continue on with a green lifestyle.
1. Start simple. You don’t have to save the earth in one big swoop; small, simple efforts add up over time and contribute to the big picture. Just like takling a large “to do” list, your “to get green” list can be started by doing the simple things first to gain momentum towards larger efforts.
2. Learn more. There are tons of websites and blogs dedicated towards coming up with ideas on how to green your lifestyle. One that I use is Greenwala–funny name, good tips and ideas. Use a search engine and type in “ideas for a green lifestyle” and you’ll be bombarded by great, quality links to provide great ideas.
3. Reduce by utilizing technology. Every picture, announcement and email does not need to be printed out and posted. Go digital and publish pictures to online photo albums such as Snapfish and email friends and family your links. Add a note at the bottom of your emails to remind recipients to only print the email if necessary, and use email marketing services to send invitations. Goodbye snail mail.
4. Then, turn that technology off. Unplug powercords that aren’t charging anything, shut down computers when they’re not being used and turn off lights in areas of buildings where people rarely use them. No need to have the lights on in the conference room when its only utilized once a week.
5. Recycle. An old idea, but nevertheless an important one. So much of what you use on a daily basis, whether in an office, at school or at home, can be recycled. There are the usual suspects of paper, cans and plastic bottles, but also other items companies have found ways to recycle. See a great article called 9 Things Your Office Forgot to Recycle and just see what you may not be thinking about.
6. Reuse by purchasing used. Research has been done to show that more and more up & coming business people, college students and trendsetters are digging through the aisles of Thrift Stores and vintage shops. Goodwill stores have even hired consultants to make their stores more pleasing and easier to shop to encourage more buyers to come in that would not typically give them a chance.
7. On that note–donate. Why throw out a perfectly good small appliance, your outgrown clothing or childrens’ barely used toys when others are out shopping for those items? Most thrift stores offer pickup services for households that want to donate used items. Or, get friends to come over and hold a swap party where everyone brings items they no longer want to swap with friends who may want them.
8. Get others to join you. Have a green mindset in an office/organization full of wasters? Start a free recycling program like our Global Re-Source Funding recycling/fundraising program to recycle used print cartridges, cell phones, iPods, laptops and digital cameras. Or contact your local waste management company to set up recycle bins in your location. They key to making these programs successful is that they are easy to use and easy to let others know about.
cell phones · digital cameras · Green lifestyle · ideas for going green · ink cartridges · Recycling · reduce · reuse
