(Article by Astra NG, communications specialist)

Shawnee State University protects the environment by participating in the Scioto County Habitat for Humanity Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling Fundraiser

(Shawnee State University has collected $898.50 from ink and toner cartridge collections for Habitat for Humanity’s Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling Fundraiser)

            Shawnee State University helps in saving the environment with its participation in the Scioto County Habitat for Humanity Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling Fundraiser.
            Habitat is a non-profit Christian housing organization that seeks to provide decent, affordable housing for those in need. The goal of the fundraiser is to encourage people to donate and collect used ink and toner cartridges, and in return, Cartridge World will send a check to Habitat for the collection.
            “I think this is a great project because it is a community project and 90 percent of the funds are used locally to build affordable housing,” said Kelly Hatas, AmeriCorps/VISTA service leader, who is on the Habitat board and the recycling subcommittee chair.
            The program started several years ago at SSU, and from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2007, SSU earned $335, but since December of 2007, SSU has earned $898.50. SSU is also working with an international company, Cartridge World, in Grandview, Ohio to collect more cartridge donations.
            “The cartridges are recycled in the classic sense of the word. They are not melted down to create other products. They are refilled and resold right at Cartridge World, keeping more than 2,000 ink cartridges from landfills,” Hatas said.
            In Scioto County, drop off sites are the Life Center in Portsmouth, Lucasville and Wheelersburg, Portsmouth Library locations in New Boston, Northwest, South Webster, Wheelersburg and Lucasville, Market Street Café in Portsmouth, Dr. Pettit’s Office, Scioto County Sheriff and many others.
            For more information or to get a collection box for inks and toner cartridges, contact Hatas at (740) 351-4993 or visit www.sciotohabitat.org.