Recycle a cell phone – save a species

The Topeka Zoo has partnered with ECO-CELL, a cell phone recycling company, to help raise awareness of the importance of recycling elcectronics, including the efforts these products have on humans and endangered species. Visitors are encouraged to bring in their old phones to be recycled. Funds raised from the recycled cell phones will go toward the zoo’s conservation efforts.

An 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. Rebel bands mining this ore are killing these animals for food and sport. The U.N. has reported that in the past five years, the eastern lowland gorilla population in the Congo has declined 90%. Reducing the demand for Coltan will help save these animals and their habitat.