Day 235 – Eco-Cell collects and recycles electronics and those efforts help save the gorillas and chimpanzees in the Congo.
How you ask? I’ll let Eco-Cell explain.
Electronics are connected to apes via an ore called Coltan (columbite-tantalite\tantalum). Tantalum coats the capacitors inside gadgets which makes them energy efficient. This ore is found in great quantity in the Congo, home to the critically endangered gorilla and chimpanzee. These species are being killed by rebel bands mining Coltan. The U.N. has reported that in the past five years the eastern lowland gorilla population in the Congo has declined 90%. Recycling your cell phones with ECO-CELL helps save these animals by reducing the demand for Coltan and by providing funds for our partners like the Cincinnati Zoo, The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Intl. and the Jane Goodall Institute who are actively engaged in protecting these species.
Eco-Cell collects the following:
- cell phones
- smartphones
- iPods
- iPads
- tablets
- Apple/Android watches
- bluetooth
- GPS
- MP3 players
- e-readers
- digital cameras
- handheld gaming systems & accessories
Eco-Cell would be a great partner for your organization or school’s next fundraiser. The process is very straightforward: collect as many electronic gadgets as possible and send them to ECO-CELL (Don’t worry they pay shipping). When the phones arrive at ECO-CELL, they determine their reuse\resale value. If they can be reused they resell them and pass as much money back to you as possible. If your gadgets are obsolete they recycle them properly and pay you their recycle value. After they process your shipment they follow it up with an itemized statement of your order and a check within 30-45 days.
You can also drop-off your electronics on your next trip to the zoo. Brookfield Zoo and Lincoln Park Zoo participate in the program. Check to see if your local zoo is part of the program.
Recycling e-waste, saving the great apes and raising funds for your organization, it’s the trifecta. You just can’t lose.
Tomorrow, bus stops to the rescue to help save the pollinators.
365 Ways to Save the Planet 