Change in Laser Cartridge Program

The laser cartridge marketplace has changed significantly. Many major players in the remanufacturing side of the business have had to curtail their once aggressive collection programs to meet ever increasing costs for freight and an excess of cartridges in the system.

Effective immediately the majority of non-virgin cartridges can no longer be returned for payment nor can they be returned freight free.

Note: For a definition of virgin and non-virgin cartridges see the end notes.

In response to this change in the market RecycleFirst has made several adjustments to its laser cartridge collection program in order offer the most environmentally responsible program in the industry while maximizing the return for the client base.

To order the new recycling boxes use www.recyclefirst.com and follow the normal ordering process.

RecycleFirst Laser Cartridge Recycling Program

Effective Date: March 1st, 2006



Overview:

*The number of cartridges paid for is increasing
*The average value is increasing
*Introduction of a new environmentally friendly collection container
*A switch from FedEx to UPS that makes returning and tracking cartridge returns easier
*The majority of non-virgin cartridges are no longer on the list nor can they be returned for free


Q. Overall is this a better program for us?

A. The number of laser cartridges paid for will increase and the average value paid will also increase. The environmental impact will not change as there is still a way to recycle all cartridges.

Q. When will the list of acceptable cartridges be available?

A. The list is available by email info@recyclefirst

Q. What do I do with the laser boxes I now have?

A. The current price list will remain in effect through March 31st. We are asking that you ship all your current boxes no later than March 3rd.

Q. What will happen if we miss the deadline?

A. Call or write us and tell us how many boxes you have and we will either:

send you a new box
a label to affix over the existing label
For cartridges not on the list you may ship cartridges to the following address:

Cartridge Recycling Center
2001 Anchor Court
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320

Or

CORE Recycling Concepts
999 W McKinley Rd
Ottawa, IL 61350



Please note that we are only paying for cartridges on the list.

Q. I have boxes on backorder what happens to those orders.

A. The current backorders will start to ship the week of February 13, 2006. A new price list is available through www.recyclefirst.com

Q. Will we be able to return non-virgin (previously remanufactured) cartridges?

A. This is very important question.

The new price list contains only selected non-virgin cartridges. We are asking our customers not to return non-virgin cartridges. There are some of our clients that have shipped hundreds of cartridges that either have no value because they are damaged or for the most part non-virgin. The cost to handle these cartridges is now prohibitive.

We realize that sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between virgin and non-virgin cartridges and if a few are included that is the cost of doing business. However, continued abuse of the policy will force RecycleFirst to drop the offender from the program.

Q. How do we recycle non-virgin or cartridges not on the price list?

A. We now have a second program for the recycling of cartridges not on the list. The cartridges can be shipped to a second location but RecycleFirst will not pay for either cartons or freight.

Another possibility is to return the cartridges to your local municipal waste handler. Many of these organizations will take the cartridges. If your municipality does not have such as program, we can work with them to set up a cartridge recycling program.

End Notes:

Note: A non-virgin cartridge is one that has been used once or more. These are the cartridges that have been through the remanufacturing process. The majority of the store brand remanufactured and/or compatible cartridges are considered non-virgin.

A virgin cartridge is defined as a new cartridge that has been used once and is most often associated with the manufacturer of the printer, HP branded for example. A virgin or "new" cartridge can contain some remanufactured or recyclable parts but the actual plastic housing has never been used.

As for our other programs, the ink jet market is stronger than ever and the need to recycle cell phones as part of a national environmental plan continues to be very important.