FITCHBURG -- You can help both the Friends of the Fitchburg Public Library and the environment by bringing your empty inkjet cartridges in individual plastic sandwich bags to the library for recycling.

Did you know that nearly 1 million inkjet cartridges are thrown into our landfills every day? Less than 5 percent of the cartridges that are produced are recycled. It takes 1,000 years for the plastic to decompose.

The library will receive up to $4 for each cartridge recycled. They can be deposited in the collection bin located in the adult library near the front door.

Simply place your old cartridge in a plastic sandwich bag and deposit it in the collection bin. Most businesses simply throw their empty cartridges in the trash, so check at work to see if they would donate their used cartridges. The library does not accept laser cartridges.

In addition to raising money for the Friend of the Library, recycling inkjet cartridges has a positive impact on the environment.