Friends of the Topeka Zoo (FOTZ) has joined other Zoos across the country and partnered with ECO-CELL, a company which pays organizations for collecting used cell phones, batteries and accessories. By dropping off your unused cell phones in designated drop boxes, you can help protect endangered animals and reduce the risk of hazardous materials found in these phones ending up in our landfills and poisoning our environment. In addition, 100% of the funds raised will go to help purchase animal enrichment items for the Topeka Zoo.

ENDANGERED ANIMALS
An ore called Coltan, found in the Congo in the middle of endangered gorilla and elephant habitats, is used in the coating for components of cell phones. Animals are being killed by rebel bands of natives mining this ore. The UN has reported that in the past five years, the eastern lowland gorilla population in the Congo has declined 90%. Reducing the demand for Coltan will help save these animals and their habitat.

THE ENVIRONMENT
The world is becoming concerned about the waste that is generated from electronic products and for good reason. While cell phones represents a small percentage of this total waste, due to their small size and rapid replacement cycle, they are more likely to end up in landfills where their toxins poison our environment. Cell phones and their accessories contain a large number of hazardous substances known as Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals (PBTs), including Arsenic, Cadmium and lead. These materials can linger in the environment for a long time and have adverse effects on human health.

ANIMAL ENRICHMENT
Animals in the wild spend much of their day hunting for food or trying to escape predators. Because animals in captivity do not have to worry about these things, animal enrichment is added to their daily lives. Enrichment can be anything from a large ball with treats inside for the elephants, to a new log for a tarantula to hide in. It is important to stimulate natural behaviors or recreate social living conditions for the Topeka Zoo's animals and there are endless ways to add this enrichment. It is not only fun for the keepers and public to watch, but it provides mental stimulation for the animals themselves. All funds raised through the eco-cell recycling program will be used to purchase enrichment items for the animals at the Topeka Zoo.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT CELL PHONES AND RECYCLING
The demand for cellular phones is on the increase and the average "lifespan" of these phones is on the decrease. Currently there are more than 150 million cellular phone users in the United States. It is estimated that 100 million cell phones are 'retired' annually in this country. This in addition to the estimated 500 million already "stockpiled". Of the 500 million + phones no longer being used, 75% of them are in drawers in people's homes or offices. Less than 10% of these phones are recycled properly. Given their small size they are much more likely to be thrown out with the trash and end up in a landfill. The EPA estimates that this quantity of cell phones is equal to about 250,000 tons of toxic materials.

ECO-CELL
Through ECO-CELL's program, 70% of the phones collected will be used by first-time, low income users abroad or by selected local organizations, such as Battered Women's Program for emergency use (911 calls). ECO-CELL runs a strict NO LANDFILL program! All items received by ECO-CELL, including batteries, accessories and cell phones with no resale value, will be recycled using the best demonstrated technologies for recycling e-waste. By donating your used cell phone, you may be eligible for a tax deduction. Contact FOTZ to ask for a donation acknowledgement receipt and consult your tax advisor for the tax effects of your gift.

Help FOTZ by collecting used cell phones from your neighbors, co-workers, friends and relatives. The ECO-CELL program pays for every qualifying cell phone and recycles the phones with no market value. Collection boxes are conveniently located throughout Topeka at these collection sites -