Be Green!

Recycling Your Cell-Phone, Save a Habitat

Americans discard more than 100 million computers, cell phones and other electronic devices each year.  As e-waste piles up, so does concern about the growing threat to the environment. While cell phones represent a small percentage of this total waste, they are more likely to end up in the waste stream and contribute a growing portion of the toxic materials that end up in our landfills. 

The sleek silver phone in your pocket is part of the reason silverback gorillas in West Africa are disappearing. Mining a rare ore called Coltan (columbite-tantalite) is a source of the element tantalum which is an essential coating for components of cell phones.  This ore is often found in the Congo in the middle of endangered gorilla and elephant habitats.  These animals are being killed by rebel bands of natives mining the ore.  The U.N. has reported that in the past five years, the eastern lowland gorilla population in the Congo has declined 90 percent.  Reducing the demand for Coltan will help save these animals and their habitats.

Zoos across the nation are collecting cell phones to be reused or recycled, in hope of reducing both pollution and the market for Coltan. The Phoenix Zoo has partnered with Eco-Cell to recycle cell phones. With the help of Eco-Cell, the Zoo will benefit from your donation of your old cell phones. Just drop them off in the box at the front gate next time you visit the Zoo.

If you have any questions about this program or you would like to mail in your cell phone donation, please contact the Development department at 602.914.4346 or mail your cell phone(s) to attn:

Development Office
The Phoenix Zoo
455 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008

Did you get a new cell phone for Christmas? Then bring in your old cell phone for recycling. Locally we are diverting e-waste from landfills and globally we don’t have to mine Coltan as much in the Congo, Africa.