Bob Mott says he’s frustrated with Lake Orion Community Schools.
The local Cartridge World owner has been trying for over 16 months to bid on the district’s printer ink and toner cartridges, but he’s just getting the cold shoulder.
‘Late in 2008, my wife sat down and composed a letter in an email. We sent it to every member on the school board and never got a response. Since then, I’ve sent emails to people in the administration and never gotten a response,? he said.
In the mean time, the Cartridge World owner’s been partering with Lake Orion schools in a recycling program, paying $1 for empty ink and $3 for empty toner cartridges. (See last week’s Review for a feature on the program.)
Mott then refurbishes, refills and resells the cartridges. Since the program began in 2007, he’s recycled $7,170 back into the district, through schools and booster programs.
After months of silence from the school district on his interest in bidding, Mott finally heard from ‘someone in IT? asking for his prices.
He says he sent back a few numbers and hasn’t heard anything since.
‘They should at least show the courtesy of giving me a phone call or an email saying, ‘We’re sorry, so-and-so is cheaper? or ‘It’s up for bid at the end of this year, we’ll be sure to send you information so you can bid,? ? but, nothing,? said Mott.
The Review’s messages to Superintendent Ken Gutman for comment went unreturned.
Earlier this month, Gutman told The Review, ‘We would be remiss in our responsibilities to not find out what the potential savings are,? while discussing privatizing district support staff.
Those sentiments were echoed often during the district’s budget analysis and study presentations.
‘Right now, that’s all we hear everywhere: ‘Save money, save money, save money? and ‘Look under every rock and do whatever we can,?? said Michele Parsons, a Stadium Drive Elementary mom. Stadium Drive is among the schools working with Mott in a cartridge recycling program.
But, Mott says he may have to stop participating. Empty cartridges are piling up in his store because customer demand isn’t matching his growing supply.
‘I sell [cartridges] a little bit here and there, if customers need them,? said Mott. ‘But the whole idea of recycling is closing the loop and reuse what you have. I feel [the schools] are just using me as another source of income.?
Mott said he could just as easily buy back cartridges from companies willing to reciprocate.
‘I hate to do it, but if I have to, I can cut the schools out completely.?
Parsons says she can’t think of ‘one thing that wouldn’t be beneficial? in allowing Mott to bid, and potentially get the district’s ink and toner contract.
‘He’s paying taxes here. We have a business in town who’s willing to donate and help out and give back to the schools. He’s willing to work with all the schools and to share that profit with everybody,? she said.
According to district employees, LOCS currently buys ink from Bob Brooks Computer Sales in Auburn Hills, but it’s unknown if the schools are bound to the company by a contract and if/when the contract expires.
Mott says about 90 percent of cartridges on the market are recyclable and there’s hardly any difference between new and recycled ones, except the price and impact on the environment.
‘All our cartridges are filled to weight, exactly as they would be brand new. Our inks are 99.99 percent identical, chemically [to manufacturer formulas]. We’re as close as you can get, without it being copyright infringement,? he said.