National Arbor Day Foundation Partners with Cartridge World Franchise on New Program: "Plant A Tree, Not a Cartridge"

Posted on March 29, 2007 by

NEBRASKA CITY, NEB. – The National Arbor Day Foundation has announced a new partnership with ink and toner-refill franchise retailer Cartridge World to help replant America’s national forests that have been damaged by wildfires and other natural causes.  In conjunction with its frequent buyer program, Cartridge World will make a donation to the Foundation to plant a tree in a national forest.  The retailer hopes to plant 75,000 trees in national forests.

“Plant a Tree, Not a Cartridge” reinforces Cartridge World’s commitment to keeping discarded ink and toner cartridges out of landfills by providing an alternative to purchasing new cartridges.  Beginning in April, customers at its 550 stores nationwide will be offered a “Plant a Tree Frequent Buyer Card”.  Once the card is filled, the customer will receive a tree gift certificate which tells the customer a tree has been planted in a national forest on his/her behalf.  New stores also will be handing out Arbor Day Foundation Gift Trees to customers during grand openings beginning in April.

Cartridge World is no stranger to helping local environmental support initiatives. Cartridge World also has an established recycling fundraiser program with community groups, schools and businesses throughout the nation. The recycling program invites participants to collect empty ink and toner cartridges, and Cartridge World will offer to buy back those cartridges to ensure each one is recycled properly.

“With Cartridge World’s commitment and the National Arbor Day Foundation’s help and support, we are hoping this program is as successful as it was with our UK Cartridge World franchises in 2004,” said Burt Yarkin, CEO of Cartridge World. “The UK franchises helped the environment by planting 6,000 trees, and we hope to be even more effective. The ‘Plant a Tree, Not a Cartridge’ program supports who Cartridge World is and what we believe.”

“We are grateful for Cartridge World’s commitment and support.  The ‘Plant a Tree, Not a Cartridge’ program demonstrates an environmentally friendly initiative that also takes the proactive step of planting trees,” said John Rosenow, president of The National Arbor Day Foundation.  “The company’s generous contribution to replanting America’s national forests will help restore wildlife habitat, clean the air, protect soil and waterways, and restore these beautiful and valuable natural resources for the benefits of generations to come.”

Last year was the worst forest fire season on record, burning more than 9.6 million acres of land and creating a need for planting millions of trees in national forests around the country.

About Cartridge World

Emeryville, CA-based Cartridge World is the world’s fastest growing ink and toner refilling retailer in the $80 billion printer cartridge industry. The company refills empty ink cartridges and remanufactures empty toner cartridges for inkjet printers, laser printers, fax machines, and photocopiers with top quality, brand-specific ink and toners; It offers consumers and businesses a more affordable option to buying new, provides a 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee and helps the environment by keeping cartridges out of landfills. Voted #1 in the category of toner replacement services by Entrepreneur Magazine Franchisee 500, Cartridge World has more than 1,400 franchised retail locations in 36 countries.  Cartridge World North America was founded in 2003. There are currently 550 locations open in the United States, with 800 locations expected by the end of 2007.

About The National Arbor Day Foundation

The National Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees.  More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org.