Gorillas on the Line... Answer the Call!
We are joining Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) and the Gorilla Species Survival Plan for Gorillas on the Line… Answer the Call!. This global program aims to increase recycling of cell phones and small electronics in an effort protect habitats for gorillas and other wildlife in Central Africa, where materials are mined. From February 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022, donate your cell phones and tablets at the zoo to be recycled. Remember to delete your personal information before donating your electronics.
You can also donate your items at Life Unplastic!
2022 represents the fourth year of the Gorillas on the Line...Answer the Call campaign with a goal to collect 15,000 electronic devices! Help us meet our goal - donate your cell phones and tablets at the ticket window today!
Items we can accept include: cell phones, all smartphones, all tablets, Apple/Android watches, GPS, MP3 players, e-readers, digital cameras, handheld gaming systems, headphones, and accessories that come with any of these devices.
Collected devices will be shipped to EcoCell or other centers to be recycled. Proceeds from recycled devices support Gorilla SAFE conservation initiatives. Coltan is a critical component of cell phones and other small electronics and is mined in the forests of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo—right in the middle of gorilla habitat. As a result of mining for coltan, critical habitat has been destroyed and gorillas have been displaced or even killed by poachers. Recycling old cell phones helps reduce the demand for coltan and protects gorilla habitat in Africa. Gorillas are on the line. Join us to answer the call to help save gorillas in the wild!
Previous collection results
2021
10,116 electronic devices were collected with over $2,400 raised for wild gorilla conservation.
2020
6,194 electronic devices were collected with over $2,000 raised for conservation
2019
12,486 electronic devices were collected with around $6,000 raised to save gorillas in the wild!