|
|
| Recycling |
|
RECYCLING…
We all recycle newspapers, bottles, and soda cans. The Zoo does too; look for our blue recycling containers. But did you know you can recycle your cell phone—and help the Zoo and wildlife at the same time??
250,000 Tons of Toxic Materials
With such toxic contents as arsenic, antimony, cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead and zinc, cell phone and accessory waste poses a serious threat to the environment and human health. The ever-increasing number of cell phone users and rapid turnover of phones are putting a vast amount of harmful materials in landfills. It is estimated that 700 million cell phones—250,000 tons of toxic material—have been "retired" in the Unites States alone.
Threats to Wildlife
Additionally, the mining of coltan, which is used to coat components of cell phones, poses a great threat to endangered eastern lowland gorillas and African elephants. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, coltan miners have destroyed the animals' habitat and killed them for bushmeat. The U.N. has reported the gorilla population in this area has been devastated in recent years. Reducing the demand for coltan will help save these animals and their habitat.
How You Can Help
The Society has partnered with ECO-Cell (www.eco-cell.org) to collect and recycle Zoo visitors’ cell phones, batteries, and accessories.
Click here for more information regarding ECO-Cell and the Turtle Back Zoo.
|
|
|
