By Leticia Francis, Conservation Liaison
With the recent unseasonably warm weather here in San Francisco, with a sprinkle of rainy weather, Spring has really sprung. This is the perfect time to clean up electronic clutter at home, while also helping to forward Gorilla conservation this APE-ril.
APE-ril is especially important this year at the San Francisco Zoo as we currently have three Great Ape species here at the Zoo. The three great apes are all threatened with extinction, mainly due to threats such as habitat loss and degradation, poaching, and climate change. As a conservation organization, we are involved in many programs that help to promote the conservation of many different species, including the great apes.
One of the programs we are involved in here at the Zoo is Gorillas on the Line, which is a program through the Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction). This program directly raises money for Gorilla conservation through the recycling of cellphones, tablets, and other small electronics. Eco-Cell is our recycling partner for this program!
About 80% of cellphones worldwide do not get recycled. As they become more a part of our daily lives (and with constant updates), I’m sure there are folks out there who have a drawer full of cellphones and other electronics and accessories they have no idea what to do with. I know that I had a few cellphones that were hiding in a drawer, a collection from the last 15 years, only to be rediscovered with every new apartment move. I’m so glad I finally had a place to recycle them, and be able to contribute to conservation by directly raising funds and bringing attention to the habitat destruction that can be a consequence of mining for materials that are found in out rechargeable devices. I have personally used this program to recycle my own electronics and accessories, and I now have the pleasure to be able to spread the word about this program, and to have the ability to discuss different ways of engaging in conservation with people of all ages here at the Zoo.
Another unintended or unseen consequence of mining is the creation of new access roads, and more extensive use of existing roads, which can create access to historically hard to access species and resources such as timber. There is a rise in great apes used in bushmeat due to mining and logging activities, and a rise in illegal logging with easier access to previously inaccessible forests. Poaching and further habitat destruction, through the use and creation of roads to get to the mines, which destroy habitats themselves.
Gorillas are not the only species that benefit from recycling cell phones and other electronics. There are conservation benefits for many species around the zoo, some which may not be as obvious: Chimpanzees, Mandrills, Penguins, and Flamingos. These species are facing habitat loss due to mining and climate change. Recycling e-waste can also to keep heavy metals out of landfills and ground water, helping to lower carbon foot print.
The San Francisco Zoo has been part of this program for the last 5 years. This is the 8th year of the program. Here are some numbers to show just how awesome this program is going!
In 5 Years, SF Zoo has collected and recycled 1,259 gadgets. In the last 2 years we have raised $225.00 for Gorilla conservation. Last year we recycled 160 pounds of e-waste in total, diverting it from the landfill. Our goal for 2026 is to recycle 400 gadgets, raise 200 dollars and to recycle 200 pounds of e-waste by September 1st.
Since 2019, Gorillas on the Line has collected 126,479 devices and have raised $87,894 raised for Gorilla Conservation. The 2026 goal of this program with 54 participating organizations is: to collect 28,000 devices and to raise $18,000 for gorilla conservation!
This year to help reach our goal we are putting on a cell phone drive during our weekend celebration of earth day. We will also have a collection box at tables highlighting species that can benefit from cell phone recycling. Join us in bringing your cellphones for our EarthFest April 18th and 19th, or any visit in April, in honor of Ape Awareness Month. We accept cell phones for recycling 365 days of the year during our normal operating hours. You do not need to purchase Zoo admission to drop off cell phones in our membership office or in the gift shop.
If you are interested in bring in electronic items for donation, we recommend resetting the device to its factory settings before dropping it in one of our donation bins. If you have more questions about the process, I would recommend ECO-CELL’s website at eco-cell.com where there is a FAQ section as well as more information about recycling cellphones. If you are not in the Bay Area, and would still like to recycle your cell phone, you can use a locator on the website to see if there is a location near you to drop off your cellphone to benefit gorilla conservation.
Let’s all work together to bring awareness to ways that we can all help conserve Critically Endangered Gorillas in the wild! Let’s make this Ape-awareness month on to remember here at the San Francisco Zoo! Stop by our conservation pop up tables for more conservation information and ways that you can help Great Apes and more from home!