Supporting the Planet and Your Organisation
There are a few options out there to generate additional income for your work or save you the expense by encouraging your supporters and donors to take action on your behalf.
Recycling
TerraCycle's Free Recycling Programmes
TerraCycle offer free recycling solutions for typically hard-to-recycle waste streams. People can join as many programmes as they like to help reduce your impact on our planet and earn TerraCycle rewards points. TerraCycle Reward points can be redeemed for a donation to their school or charity of their choice. Your supporters can be in more than one free recycling programme. Or consider becoming a public drop-off point like many other schools, businesses, and charities in Northern Ireland.
Originally founded as The Fundraising Company in 1996, the Recycling for Good Causes now works with over 5000 charities and good causes. They offer charities and non-profit organisations a chance to raise funds by recycling unwanted, donated items from watches and jewellery (in any material even if damaged or broken); gadgets (such as cameras, games consoles, mobile phones, sat navs and MP3 players); old currency (UK & foreign) and used stamps. With experts in place, all items are individually assessed and recycled to get you the highest price possible for your charity or cause. All this is done at absolutely no cost to you. Individual donors can also raise funds through their free services where a cheque from the proceeds will be sent to their chosen cause.
Your supporters can raise funds for you simply by collecting printer ink cartridges (from their wanted list) with the Recycle4Charity programme. This free to all users use service, recycles ink cartridges meaning less non-biodegradable components being dumped in landfill sites and any hazardous and precious materials are recovered. Ink cartridges are sent via Free Postage labels, collected by Royal Mail, or you can register to become a collection point.
Reuse
A Good Thing uses their app so less ends up in landfill by making it easier for businesses to donate their unwanted items to local charities. It can be anything from a used laptop, office furniture, or surplus products. Local charities using the app get notified as soon as a nearby business has something to offer. Charities just have to make a request for the items. Businesses can even donate meeting spaces! Encourage supporters to get businesses involved.
The Neighbourly platform is free to use and connects you with businesses that have volunteer time, money or product surplus to donate. The first step is to create your page and tell them what kind of help you need.
eCards
Rather than cutting down trees, your supporters can send personalised eCards to friends and loved ones and make a meaningful charitable contribution. Businesses can do the same. Register your charity and encourage supporters to send eCards this Christmas. For inspiration, see how the Samaritans promote this to their donors.
You can receive donations in lieu of cards by becoming one of their listed charity partners and join over 2000 charities. Simply invite supporters to send customised e-cards and donate the cost of cards and stamps to your organisation – this can be done from your own account dashboard.
This resource is for guidance only and is not an endorsement or recommendation of any scheme or company featured.
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