Return for Good — Consumer Recycling Programs

On April 4, you learned about the Federal Recycling Program for federal agencies and their employees. This week, we want to tell you about recycling programs for consumers. Please spread the word about Return for Good to your family, friends, and neighbors.

The Postal Service^® recognizes that consumers want convenient choices when it comes to recycling household items. Our new “Return for Good” website at http://usps.com/return-for-good provides information about mail-back programs that demonstrate that our commitment to the environment extends beyond our internal initiatives. Not only are we providing consumers with convenient ways to repurpose or recycle used electronics through certified recycling providers, but we are also creating a new revenue stream.

Our first mail-back programs are for inkjet cartridges and small electronics:

n Consumers can dispose of used inkjet cartridges for free. There are free postage-paid plastic envelopes for used inkjet cartridges in about 3,100 Post Office™ lobbies.

n Consumers can get money for recycling their newer model used cell phones, MP3 players, and tablets. MaxBack quotes a price and pays the postage. Upon receipt and inspection, they issue payment.

As a Postal Service employee, you can use the Federal Recycling Program for your personal electronics and inkjet cartridges. Your transactions will be included in the USPS Sustainability progress reports. For information on this program, go to http://blueearth.usps.gov.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates:

n The average U.S. household spends $1,407 per year on new electronics.

n Consumers buy 30 million computers and 130 million cell phones every year.

n Consumers throw out about 350,000 cell phones and 130,000 computers every day.

n Consumers recycle less than 30 percent of their used electronics.

What Does Return for Good Mean to the Postal Service?

Return for Good recycling mail-back programs are an exciting new way for the Postal Service to generate new postage revenue, enhance our brand image by showcasing our commitment to the environment, and make it easy for consumers to do the right thing with recyclable products.

What Can You Do?

n Don’t trash electronics — electronic waste must be recycled or repurposed.

n As a Postal Service employee, go to
http://blueearth.usps.gov to recycle your personal small electronics and inkjet cartridges.

n Encourage your neighbors, friends, and family to use our Return for Good programs at http://usps.com/return-for-good.

What Should Employees Know?

Return for Good — Recycle Consumer Electronics and Inkjet Cartridges through USPS

	MaxBack	Inkjet Cartridges
How does it work?	Follow the link to MaxBack, enter your device name and find out how much your device is worth. If the value is over $10, MaxBack will provide a prepaid shipping label. Upon receipt, they will inspect your device and issue payment.	You can recycle used inkjet cartridges by placing them in a preprinted plastic envelope and depositing it at the Post Office in a collection box or give it to your carrier.
What products can I recycle?	Cell phones, MP3 players, and tablets.	Inkjet cartridges
Why should I participate?	Not only is this a convenient and responsible way to dispose of cell phones you no longer need, but you may be able to get a little cash for newer model devices.	This program makes it exceptionally easy to recycle used inkjet cartridges.
How much does it cost?	You can download a prepaid shipping label if the device is worth more than $10.	This service is free to consumers. Postage is preprinted on the plastic envelope.
Are packing materials provided?	You can request a box if the device is worth more than $10.	Preprinted plastic bags are available in 3,100 Post Offices. Go to http://usps.com/return-for-good for the list.