Ink Recycling At Staples, OfficeMax & OfficeDepot

[Avid Reader]

I've been recycling ink on a steady monthly basis at Staples for about two years now, and receive Staples rewards checks monthly. I usually recycle the maximum amount allowed, and get a $20 check every month.
How many other DDF'ers are into this, and perhaps wanna share some tricks of the trade?

For staples, the basics are:
*Get $2 per each cartridge recycled
* Maximum of 10 cartridges per month = $20 per account
*Limit of 1 account per household

[elikay]

how about going premier and doing 20 a month?

[Avid Reader]

How much do I have to spend to go premier?

[bubbles]

Not by a comp but pretty sure it's a grand (this is where FAR software come in handy)

You have the empty ink to recycle or you buy them?

[Avid Reader]

You have the empty ink to recycle or you buy them?

Ebay, 0.20 cents a piece 

[Ez]

How do I get upgraded to Premier?

Spend $1,000 or more on anything in a calendar year and you will be upgraded to Staples Rewards Premier status. Taxes, postage stamps, delivery charges, coupons, gift cards, and purchases made from outside companies through Staples do not count toward achieving Premier status.

http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/programs/customerservice/staples_rewards_program.html#how_do_i_get_upgraded_to_premier

[Avid Reader]

http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/programs/customerservice/staples_rewards_program.html#how_do_i_get_upgraded_to_premier

Thanks.

[Fish Tank]

Ebay, 0.20 cents a piece 

Can you post a link to an ebay listing,  I can't seem to find Any.

I'd like start doing this, I have to questions,
A) Does it have to be hp cartridges?
B) The checks that you get is regular money, or it can only be used in staples?

[Avid Reader]

Can you post a link to an ebay listing,  I can't seem to find Any.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250-HP-NV-Mixed-Models-Empty-Used-Ink-Tank-Cartridges-/221010528231?pt=US_Empty_Ink_Cartridges&hash=item33754107e7

Or buy less for 0.25 cents each:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Empty-ink-cartridges-for-Staples-office-max-Office-Depot-Recycling-/110889057544?pt=US_Empty_Ink_Cartridges&hash=item19d180bd08

I'd like start doing this, I have to questions,
A) Does it have to be hp cartridges?
B) The checks that you get is regular money, or it can only be used in staples?

A) No, AFAIK it can be any type.
B) Only at staples.

I've found the OfficeMax in my area to be very picky with which cartridges they accept, so I only do this at staples now. Each location might have different rules for what they accept, but I get the idea that Staples is the most lenient of them all.

[Fish Tank]

@avid reader
Thank you!

Just one more question,  staples even accepts generic cartridges ?

[Avid Reader]

@avid reader
Thank you!

Just one more question,  staples even accepts generic cartridges ?

IME, yes, although I haven't done that too much.

[Wizard]

Anywhere other than Staples Office Max and eBay?

[Freddie]

Ink recycling at Staples.... biggest corporate scam of the century.

[incendia]

Anywhere other than Staples Office Max and eBay?

bestbuy

Ink recycling at Staples.... biggest corporate scam of the century.

please elaborate

[Freddie]

bestbuy

please elaborate

I brought in a bag full of old cartridges three times.
The whole system is set up to make you not ever cash in.
You have to wait for the credits to post then you have to come back again before they expire. Maybe for people who do regular runs to Staples this works.

[etech0]

I brought in a bag full of old cartridges three times.
The whole system is set up to make you not ever cash in.
You have to wait for the credits to post then you have to come back again before they expire. Maybe for people who do regular runs to Staples this works.

You can't use the credits online?

[Freddie]

You can't use the credits online?

Ugh. I guess you could , huh?

[etech0]

Ugh. I guess you could , huh?

I think I've done it, but not sure

[incendia]

I think I've done it, but not sure

yes you can use the credits online

but you have to use the whole coupon at once. if you have $40 coupon and your order totals $39.99 then the system wont let you use the coupon

[cozmohoot]

U can also mail in toners for free. But in order to get credit for each you had to spend 30 on toner from staples in last few months