WASHINGTON, D.C. — Clover Technologies Group will partner with the United States Postal Service to offer consumers free postage for recycling certain products, such as inkjet cartridges and digital cameras.

Clover will pay the postage on envelopes that can be used to ship unwanted inkjet cartridges, Blackberries, iPods, digital cameras, MP3 players and PDAs. If the products can't be refurbished and resold, the parts will be recycled or used to refurbish other items.

Clover has a zero waste policy and said on its website that empty cartridges not used in its manufacturing process are sold to its competitors if not completely recycled, while all packaging and residual toner is aggregated and sold to companies that use it in recycled materials.

The pilot program will be launched in 10 areas, such as Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego, but the program could be implemented nationally if successful.

"We know our customers are interested in real solutions for proper disposal of personal electronics," said Anita Bizzotto, the Postal Service's executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "Everyone from consumers to businesses to non-profit organizations use the mail, and the Postal Service works to manage resources wisely to minimize environmental impact."