Project Eco-Cell, initiated by Director of Conservation and Education, Stacia Pieroni, aims to increase the collection of cell phones in the name of conservation.
Eco-Cell, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) preferred company, is the premiere handheld electronics recycling program for environmentally-minded organizations. A mobile phone can contain more than 40 elements, including heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. These elements pose a concern to both the health of humans and the environment.
Cell phones and "smart" gadgets are connected to wildlife via an ore called Coltan (columbite-tantalite). Coltan is a source of the element tantalum which is an essential coating for components of cell phones. This ore is found in great quantity in the Congo, home to the critically endangered gorilla and chimpanzee.
By donating your old cell phones and electronics to the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium, you are helping reduce the mining for elements in wildlife habitats, preventing toxic waste from entering landfills and raising money for species conservation.
Eco-cell has recycled over 1,000,000 cell phones, answer the call to help wildlife and recycle your old cell phone today!
You can find the green Eco-Cell collection box in the Deramus building near the exit door of the Zoo and near Guest Relations.
What You Can Recycle with Eco-Cell:
Cellphones/Smartphones, iPads/Tablets, iPods/mp3 players, GPS, Smartwatches, Airpods/Earbuds, VR Headsets, Digital Cameras and associated cords and cables.
Home