How to Fundraise by Recycling Paper

Recycle newspapers and raise money for your cause.

Paper drive fundraisers provide community service while generating funds for a school or charity. Donors fill a recycling dumpster with used newspapers, and sometimes also junk mail and scrap paper. The recycling company weighs and evaluates the contents and dispatches a check to the non-profit organization or school. Paper drives appeal to a donor's interest in recycling, especially if their community does not offer curbside pickup. However, unless the bin is well-publicized or in an area of heavy foot traffic, people may not participate because leaving paper in their home recycle bin may be easier.

Instructions

1. Contact your local garbage or recycling company. If fundraising bins are unable in your area, contact Paper Retriever, which delivers recycling dumpsters to sites in over 20 metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. After the fundraiser. Bin availability determines the targeted fundraiser start date. Local companies may allow an ongoing recycling effort.

2. Scout the location. The ideal location has enough physical room for a dumpster-sized bin. The location needs enough foot traffic to serve as self-advertisement. Bins in church parking lots, near school buildings or busy businesses deter trash dumping and vandalism. If no suitable location exists, consider another type of fundraiser or join forces and split profits with another charitable group. The other group may have larger facilities or more contacts.

3. Seek permission. Approach a local business about placing a bin in the parking lot. If the bin will sit in the benefiting institution's parking lot, enlist staff or board members to approve the arrangement.

4. Recruit volunteers. A successful paper drive requires several types of volunteers. Choose a volunteer or team to spread the word with fliers, word-of-mouth and local publicity. A volunteer who works on site may monitor the recycling bin site to deter vandalism.

5. Set a goal and break it down into small segments. Generate 2 tons of paper as a minimum per month or per bin pick-up. Choose a loftier goal to maximize profit. According to Paper Retriever, one paper bag of newspapers and magazines weighs approximately 10 lbs. Ask donors to contribute two bags of paper each. With a donor base of 200 individuals, the fundraiser meets its goal, and exceeds it with additional donors.

6. Determine hours of operation and start date. Decide if donors may access the bin around the clock, or only during specific hours. Constant access may generate donations due to convenience, but may also encourage trash-dumping or the addition of non-recyclable items. If the bin operates during set hours, volunteers can stack paper for maximum capacity and turn away inappropriate donations.

7. Spread the word. Make announcements over the school public address system. Post fliers at nearby businesses. Compose an ad for the church paper. Local newspapers and radio stations often provide free calendar listings and announcements to promote charitable events. Chat with your neighbors over the fence.

8. Clear the area. Move vehicles and equipment to eliminate delay on bin delivery day.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not worry about other community groups launching recycling events. According to P. Burke Keegan, author of "Fundraising for Non-Profits," one group does not often steal a donor from another. "People who give to non-profits generally have a variety of issues they care about. Very few people give to just one issue." Community members will support more than one drive with if properly publicized.

References

• Paper Retriever: How To Set Your Recycling Goals
• Recycling Revolution: Recycle Newspapers
• "Fundraising for the Non-Profit;" P. Burke Keegan;

Resources

• Paper Retriever