While some of you may have heard my rant before, I just thought I need to further spread the message of something I passionately believe in:

I am really excited to tell you about a new international program that has been intiated, called"Eco-Cell", and is happening at our very own Toronto Zoo, as well as 46 other zoos.. I had read about it on the National Geographic site, but am very suprised that it was started so fast.

As a quick overview, recycling old cell phones is important because of the metallic ore called coltan used in all cell phones and some computers, which plays as the highly sensitive electrical component. The high demand for coltan, which is primarily mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is helping fuel a rebel war. The soldiers are using the profit from mining to purchase weapons, a war which over the last few years has displaced refugees and resulted in 4 million deaths, a toll often overlooked. Secondly, the demand for mining is causing massive deforestation, even in protected forest areas. Gorillas and other endangered species are having their habitats destroyed, AND are being killed and eaten as bushmeat by the soldiers and miners for sustinence.

By donating your cell phone, you are helping decrease the demand for coltan and hitting the resource war at its source.

If you or anyone you know has an old cell phone lying around, ready to be thrown out, PLEASE bring it to the zoo (free of charge, no zoo admission needed) in order to help save gorillas and wartorn communities. The reusable cellphones will even be donated to local hospitals and womens shelters.
Also, for those of you who I know personally, if you have an old cell phone and can't get to the zoo, I'd be happy to bring it for you, considering I'm there everyday!!

I am not sure what other zoos are involved, but I know that it will be a growing program. You can read here if you are interested in the program, and I'm sure it will be really easy to find out if a zoo nearby is participating in the program.

National Geographic: Can Cell phones Save Gorillas?

This is the Toronto Zoo website:

Toronto Zoo's Cell Phone Recycling!


I'm just trying to get the word out!

Thanks!

~Theo~