ECO-Cell and the Toronto Zoo collaborate with over 90 other zoos, aquariums and wildlife institutions toward educating visitors and the public about the negative impact of the growing cell phone industry on wildlife, particularly on Gorillas and their habitat in Africa.
What is ECO-Cell?
ECO-CELLTM is a cell phone recycling program that encourages responsible waste management of electronic materials. Recycling of cell phones, and other small electronic devices helps preserve critical Lowland Gorilla rainforest habitat in Africa.
How does cell phone recycling help conserve Gorillas and their habitats?
Coltan is a metallic ore used to produce the element tantalum. Tantalum, used in a light weight metal powder form, is able to hold a very high electrical charge. This makes it a vital element in creating the capacitors that control electric flow inside miniature circuit boards. Tantalum capacitors are used in almost all cell phones, laptops, pagers and other electronic devices.
Coltan is most concentrated, and therefore most easily mined, in the rainforests of the former republic of the Congo. Unfortunately, the endangered Lowland Gorilla also calls this spot home. By recycling old cell phones, tantalum can be re-used; lessening the demand to mine pure coltan in the Congo.
What happens to the other metals in the phone?
All base elements, including arsenic and mercury, are refined out and reused. Everything else is disposed of by Sims, a division of Noranda Mining. They are the one of the global leaders in sustainable development and corporate stewardship.
Is it safe to donate my phone?
YES! Please remember to discontinue all service plans and wipe off all personal data! If you would like to fill out a participant form to be included in our ECO-Cell database, click here to download and print!
Where are funds donated?
All funds are donated to Gorilla conservation programs in Africa. For each cell phone that is recycled, ECOCELLTM donates a minimum of $0.45 and a maximum of $15 to the Toronto Zoo's Endangered Species Recovery Fund (ESRF). ESRF funds from the ECOCELL program are used to support in situ gorilla conservation programs/projects in Africa. To make a donation directly to this fund please call 416-392-9114.
How many phones has the Toronto Zoo collected?
Toronto Zoo is a leader! - We have recycled over 4000 cell phones since 2006, more than any other institution participating in the ECOCELL project!
1. DROP PHONES OFF ON YOUR NEXT TORONTO ZOO VISIT!
ON SITE Drop off locations:
- Guest Services, front entrance
- Gorilla exhibit, African Rainforest Pavilion
- Education/volunteer centre
- Administrative Building -361A Old Finch Avenue
OFF SITE Drop off partners: - Bowmanville Zoo
2. MAIL PHONES TO:
Toronto Zoo - Cell Phone Recycling Program C/O Curator of Conservation Programs 361A Old Finch Avenue Scarborough, Ontario M1B 5K7
3. GET YOUR OWN ECO-CELL RECYCLING BOX!
If your community, company, or organization has a large turnover of cell phones and other devices, please contact Conservation Programs at 416-397-5202 or e-mail direland@torontozoo.ca to request your own collection box. We will send pre-paid envelopes when you have collected 20 or more cell phones or other devices. Send in your old phones and keep your ECO-CELL box to continue collecting! For information on the Toronto Zoo lowland gorilla troop, please visit our fact sheet.
Other ways you can help protect gorillas and their habitat:
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