Greenprint Denver – Recycle Old Cell Phones and Help the Denver Zoo!
By Greenprint Denver
Published November 1, 2010
ECO-FACT: There are more than 150 million cell phone users in the United States alone. The average lifespan of a cell phone is 14 months. Cell phones and their accessories contain a large number of hazardous substances including antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, copper and lead, which can linger in the environment and have adverse effects on human health. There may already be 500 million unused cell phones in the United States!
Rather than throw an old cell phone away, donate your old cell phones to Denver Zoo, who has partnered with Eco-Cell to recycle and reuse old cell phones. Eco-Cell will pay Denver Zoo up to $10 for each working digital cell phone. Funds from the program will support gorilla conservation in the wild and help Denver Zoo in providing world-class care to its wild residents. 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.
Bring your old cell phone to the guest services counter at the main entrance of Denver Zoo, or mail your cell phones to:
Denver Zoo Attn: Answer the Call of the Wild
2300 Steele Street
Denver, CO 80205
For more information about Eco-Cell, please visit www.ecocell.org.
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