FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

How do we enroll in the program?
We do not require any formal registration or sign-up to join our recycling program. Simply collect empty cartridges and once you accumulate 30 or more empties you can contact us for prepaid labels. You can contact us thru the following channels:

1) You can email us at: info@highdollarempties.com
2) You can call us toll free at 1-866-987-EMPTY (1-866-987-3678)
3) You can write to us at High Dollar Empties 2913 Alder Ridge Lane Raleigh NC 27603

After we receive your first shipment of empty cartridges, your information will be entered in our database and you will officially be entered into our program.

Who can participate in this program?
Any individual or organization who is wishing to raise funds may participate in our program. We currently have Public and Private Schools, School-related Clubs and Organizations, Non-profit Organizations, 4-H clubs, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Church Groups, Animal Welfare Organizations, Animal Rescue Groups, Humane Societies and other service groups using this program to raise much needed funds.

How does the program work?
Simply put, just collect empty cartridges and we will pay you for each qualifying cartridge listed on our “Acceptable Cartridge List” that arrives to us in good condition.

Does it cost anything to participate in this program?
Unlike most fundraising programs, there is no investment required for your school or organization to participate in our program. We will provide Prepaid Labels to use when sending in your cartridges.

What cartridges do you accept?
We only accept cartridges that accommodate a computer printer. We do not accept copy machine toners. Please check our “Acceptable Cartridge List". We also only accept newer model cartridges for which there is a high demand for, hence the reason for our abbreviated cartridge listing. In certain situations we might be willing to buy older model cartridges we don’t have listed if you are trying to send all of your empties to one company. Please call us if this situation arises.

Also, we only accept "once-used" virgin OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) genuine empties. We do not accept generic or "off" brands. The best way to determine if a cartridge is a virgin genuine OEM empty is to look at the sticker on the cartridge. The cartridge must have an HP, Lexmark, etc logo on the label. When a label refers to "for use in" or "compatible with" it has already been refilled. The market is predicated on virgin empties. Cartridges that have already been refilled are more complicated to refill and can often times be very problematic in nature.

Do you accept recycled cartridges?
Our program does not accept any cartridges that have been previously recycled. Cartridges must have the original manufacturer’s label on it including the original manufactures logo. Cartridges that state “are compatible with…” or “for use in…” are recycled. More than likely, if the cartridge does not have the OEM label on it, it’s recycled.

How much will I be paid for my empty cartridges?
We will pay between $1.00 and $5.00 for each ink-jet cartridge (on average approximately $2.50 each), and up to $16.00 for laser cartridges. Since the value of both ink-jet and laser cartridges are very volatile and sensitive to market fluctuations, we do update our buyback list on a regular basis. When market changes occur we will make the appropriate changes on our website. It is therefore very important that you check our website and print our most current buyback prices before shipping your cartridges. We will also make every attempt to price-match another company’s buyback pricing if necessary.

When will I be paid for the empty cartridges we collect?
Payments are made by check within 7 business days after we receive your shipment. Please keep in mind that it can take between one to five days for us to receive your box(s) depending on what part of the country you are located.

Where will we find empty printer cartridges?
Fortunately, the answer is everywhere. There are over 100 million printers in use today with millions more being sold each year. Most of the cartridges that accommodate these printers unfortunately end up in landfills.

Today, nearly 75% of all homes have one or more computers which means they also have one or more printers. And nearly every kind of business and organization you can think of uses printers.

How do we package our empty cartridges for shipment?
InkJets: Inkjet cartridges can be sent in ziplock bags, wrapped in newsprint, or placed back in their original bags or boxes. The easiest, least time-consuming way to package inkjet cartridges is to open a newspaper and place the cartridge in the middle then crumble the newspaper around the cartridge.

Lasers: Laser cartridges can be removed from their original box and double-wrapped in newspaper or they can remain in the original box, but please make sure to place a minimum of 8 boxes within a larger box. Whether you keep the cartridges in their original box or you remove them from the original box, we require you send at least eight or more per box if possible. Please also make sure box is secure with no room for cartridges to bounce around during shipment. Boxes should not weigh more than 70 pounds. Most laser cartridges weigh, on average, approximately 2.5 pounds each. Of course, smaller ones weigh less and larger ones weigh more.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, CARTRIDGES SHOULD NOT BE DIRECTLY TOUCHING EACH OTHER.

Packaging Instructions Can Be Viewed by Clicking Here.

Why are some cartridges not paid for?
Inkjet cartridges with printheads contain sophisticated electronic circuitry, micro chips and super fine print nozzles that can be damaged very easily.

While Laser Cartrtidges do not have complicated circuitry, they often have plastic parts (sometimes pertruding beyond the body of the cartridge) that can be broken very easily and therefore must be packaged very carefully. For example, many of the HP color laser cartridges have "blue arms" that extend upward and are therefore very fragile.

Do not let these factors scare you. As long as our packaging instructions are adhered to and your empties have not been sitting around for an extremely long period of time (1 year or more), in most cases you will receive a full-payout on your shipment.

As a reminder, only OEM genuine empties are paid for. We do not pay for generic or previously refilled empties.

Do we need to let you know which cartridges we are sending you?
Yes and No. It is helpful for our receiving team to have a list to check against however, if no list is enclosed with your shipment we will take an inventory for you. Our Acceptable Cartridge List can be used as an inventory report and can be printed from our website. It is important, however, that you only send us cartridges that we have on our Accepted Cartridge List.