How To Help:

Recycling Programs

The Food Bank's recycling programs offer free and environmentally friendly disposal of your toner cartridges and mobile phones.

Ink Out Hunger is an easy way for your organization to help end hunger. Collect used toner and inkjet cartridges from this list of accepted items in a collection bin provided by our partner, Megabyte Express.  When you have collected 10 or more large cartridges, bring your donation to the Food Bank, or schedule a free pickup.  A significant portion of the proceeds from selling the cartridges for recycling goes to the Food Bank.
Read the FAQ.

  View the list of accepted items. (PDF)

Your old phone could be worth five meals or more!

With the Ring Out Hunger program, the Food Bank can receive $1 for every recycled mobile phone. Since the Food Bank can provide 5 meals for every dollar donated, your donation can really make a difference! Read the FAQ.

How the program works:

1. Fill out the registration form. 
2. Fill your collection bin with recycleable phones and ink cartridges. 
3. When your box is full (minimum ten items), email inkouthunger@secondharvest.org to schedule a pickup or use the registration form.  You can also drop off recycled items at the Food Bank, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
4. The Food Bank will schedule a pick up within three to five business days.  You will also receive a thank you letter from the Food Bank in acknowledgment of your generous support.  Your items will be disposed of or recycled in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, and you'll help feed hungry Central Texans!

What toner cartridges can be recycled?
At this time, only new, non-refurbished, name-brand ink jet and toner cartridges can be recycled (i.e. Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lexmark, Sharp, Panasonic, Xerox, Canon, Dell, Pitney Bowes, Samsung, Brother QMS, Ricoh Type). Please refer to the recycled toner list for a detailed list of

If you have any additional questions about what cartridges can be recycled, email inkouthunger@secondharvest.org.

What kinds of phones can be recycled?
All mobile phones can be recycled. However phone accessories, batteries and chargers should not be donated.  Phones only, please.

Why should I recycle with the Food Bank instead of going directly to the store where I purchased the product, or with another company?
Simply put, your good deed goes further. Only with the Food Bank do you get the added benefit of providing meals to hungry Central Texas in addition to caring for the environment. Each item you recycle can provide anywhere from one to 20 meals!

Do you accept other types of recycled technologies such as pagers, PDAs, computers, or Ipods?
Not at this time.

What happens to my mobile phone after I donate it?
Mobile phones are either recycled, or they are re-used in underdeveloped parts of the world.  For many families, a mobile phone provides their first opportunity to have modern, affordable communication, and improves their quality of life.

Are there privacy concerns or risks that I may get phone bills from the next person who uses my old phone? 
No.  Before the phone is recycled or reused, the software is upgraded, removing any records such as your phone book or ownership information. 

Do I have to pay to get my recycled items picked up, or pay for the storage bin? 
No. We realize you have a choice in where you send your recycled items, or if you choose to recycle at all. All services provided to make your recycling efforts successful are free of charge.

Why do you need my personal information?
We ask you for this information so we can properly say "thank you" for your generous contribution with an acknowledgment letter and list your name and/or your organization's name in our Annual Report.  If you wish to donate anonymously, please indicate so in the registration form.