Deb Pelletier, a physical education teacher at Southampton Road Elementary School in Westfield, displays a box of discarded cell phones and ink cartridges that are part of the Funding Factory Recycling Program that has enabled the school to buy more than $6,000 worth of gymnasium equipment over the past eight-years. (Photo by chief photographer Frederick Gore)
WESTFIELD – Used cell phones and empty printer ink cartridges are being turned into sports equipment at Southampton Road Elementary School.
No, physical education instructor Deb Pelletier is not a magician, but she does think outside the box.
For the past six years, Pelletier has worked with the Funding Factory to collect used cartridges and phones for recycling.
“The Funding Factory sends me boxes with shipping labels – at no cost – and I send them back once they’re full,” said Pelletier.
Pelletier then turns the recycled ink cartridges and cell phones into sports equipment for the school.
“I have an online account I can log into and choose items from their catalog, or turn our points into cash to buy what we need,” said Pelletier.
Over the past six years, Pelletier has purchased $6,000 in sports equipment thanks to the program.
“Before this, a lot of items came out of my pocket,” said Pelletier.
Items purchased include playground balls, basketballs, volleyball poles and nets, jump ropes, hula-hoops, scooters and exercise mats.
“With budget cuts, I’m always looking for extra money for physical education,” said Pelletier, “This program funds physical education at Southampton Road School.”
Pelletier also signed up for My Coke Rewards, a program that also gives equipment to schools.
“Under coke caps there is a code you can enter online,” said Pelletier, adding that she received a $170 ball cart for free from My Coke Rewards.
Pelletier said anyone can log on to the Coke web site and create a rewards account, then donate them to the school.
“Businesses can also get boxes shipped right to them from Funding Factory and collect their own cartridges for the school,” said Pelletier.
Anyone who would like to donate their empty printer cartridges or cell phones can drop them off at Southampton Road Elementary School.
“This takes items out of the trash, out of the landfills, and turns it into free equipment for us,” Pelletier said.
