Recycle your cell phone and help the Zoo
Bring your old cell phone to the Parkside Admissions Gate of the Buffalo Zoo.

You can also mail your cell phones in to:
Cell Phone Recycling Program
Buffalo Zoo
300 Parkside Avenue
Buffalo, NY  14214

Many of us have old cell phones cluttering closets and taking up valuable space in our drawers at home. During 2006, it is estimated that there will be more than 500 million cell phones out of use in the United States.

Rather than throw an old cell phone away, guests are encouraged to donate their old cell phones to the Buffalo Zoo, who has partnered with Eco-Cell to recycle and reuse old cell phones.

Why should I recycle my cell phone?

• Help the environment by recycling hazardous waste cell phones contain a number of hazardous substances that can seriously impact the environment. Donate your cell phone to the Buffalo Zoo and the Zoo will have it recycled by Eco-Cell who will ensure that most of these cell phones and their accessories will be reused or properly recycled.
• Provide funds that will benefit animals at the Buffalo Zoo
• Eco-Cell will pay the Buffalo Zoo up to $10 for each working digital cell phone. Funds from the program will support the Buffalo Zoo in providing world class care to its wild residents.
• Help Wildlife in the Congo
  Columbite-tantalite, or Coltan for short, is a dull metallic ore found in major quantities in the eastern areas of the Congo. It is used in cell phones, laptops, pagers and other electronic devices. Coltan mining is occurring illegally in protected lands all across the Congo endangering wildlife. In order to mine the coltan, rebels have overrun Congo's national parks and are hunting the park's endangered elephants and gorillas for food.
  
  Who gets the phones?
  
  Through the program, approximately 80 percent of the phones collected will be refurbished and reused by first time, low income users in Latin America or by select local programs, such as battered women's organizations, senior citizens groups and other groups for emergency 911 calls. All unusable cell phones and accessories will be recycled under strict EPA guidelines by certified recyclers.
  
  Why is there Coltan in your cellular phone?
  
  When refined, coltan becomes metallic tantalum, a heat resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge. These properties make it a vital element in creating capacitors, the electronic elements that control flow inside miniature circuit boards. Tantalum capacitors are used in almost all cell phones, laptops, pagers and other electronic devices.