MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Inspector's Office is providing a new way for Station residents to donate to education by working in conjunction with Staples stores.
For every printer ink cartridge that is recycled, Staples will donate $1 to the Parent Teacher's Organization.
"Iwakuni is the very first military base to be involved with the program," said Robert Glover, Staples corporate office project manager for business services.
The United States-wide program, dubbed "Staples Recycle for Education," began in July 2003. In one month alone, Staples received 100,000 ink cartridges and that money is going to various National Education Association funds in those states.
"In California, we just received the California Teachers Association State Global Award of Excellence for donating $75,000 to the state teachers association," said Glover. "One of the things we wanted to do as an active partner in the communities we're in was to take some of what we're getting and give it back. We decided to do that through education."
According to Maj. John G. Forti, Base inspector, the Station formerly paid a contractor to safely dispose of the cartridges. The new program saves money, time and hassle.
"The easiest way to help us out in recycling these cartridges is to put the cartridge back in the box it came in, place the designated yellow recycle sticker on it and give it to the post office," said Forti. "The worst way is when you throw it in the trash and the trash men have to dig it out."
Residents can pick up the specially devised recycle stickers at the elementary school office.
"If the cartridge doesn't have the sticker, Staples can't donate the money," Forti said. "It's a cause worth donating to.
"The PTA offsets different costs at school whether it be computers, books or other new materials," he said.
"Any channel that provides an opportunity to ship away recyclables and also put money back into the community is a great thing," affirmed Glover.