Answer the Call of the Wild!

Bring your old cell phone to the guest services counter at the main entrance of the Denver Zoo.

You can also mail your cell phones in to:
Denver Zoo
Attn: Answer the Call of the Wild
2300 Steele Street
Denver, CO 80205

Many of us have old cell phones cluttering closets and taking up valuable space in our drawers at home. During 2005, it is estimated that there will be 500 million cell phones out of use in the United States.

Rather than throw an old cell phone away, guests are encouraged to donate their old cell phones to Denver Zoo, who has partnered with Eco-Cell to recycle and reuse old cell phones.

Why should I recycle my cell phone?

• Help the environment by recycling hazardous waste Cell phones contain a number of hazardous substances that can seriously impact the environment. Donate your cell phone to the Denver Zoo and the Zoo will have it recycled by Eco-Cell who will ensure that most of these cell phones and their accessories will be reused or properly recycled.
• Provide funds that will benefit animals at Denver Zoo
• Eco-Cell will pay Denver Zoo up to $10 for each working digital cell phone. Funds from the program will support Denver Zoo in providing world class care to its wild residents.
• Help Wildlife in the Congo
  Columbite-tantalite, or Coltan for short, is a dull metallic ore found in major quantities in the eastern areas of the Congo. It is used in cell phones, laptops, pagers and other electronic devices. Coltan mining is occurring illegally in protected lands all across the Congo endangering wildlife. In order to mine the coltan, rebels have overrun Congo's national parks and are hunting the park's endangered elephants and gorillas for food.

Who gets the phones?

Through the program, 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.

Why is there Coltan in your cellular phone?

When refined, coltan becomes metallic tantalum, a heat resistant powder that can hold a high electrical charge. These properties make it a vital element in creating capacitors, the electronic elements that control flow inside miniature circuit boards. Tantalum capacitors are used in almost all cell phones, laptops, pagers and other electronic devices.

Privacy & Recycling Your Phone

ECO-Cell does not clear cell phones of data or content left on phones. It is the responsibility of the donating party to cancel or switch service on the phone and to delete any data such as phone numbers, text messages, pictures, emails, documents, etc. that might be on the cell phone.

ECO-Cell sends donated phones to refurbishing companies who often delete any content left on phones, but Eco-Cell cannot guarantee that content will always be deleted. Therefore it is Eco-Cell’s position and recommendation that those wishing to donate a phone take the time to clear phone of all data to ensure maximum privacy.