The NEW Zoo To Collect Used Cell Phones and Ink Cartridges

April 16, 2005 – Beginning April 16, 2005 the Volunteer and Education Center will be collecting used cell phones and ink cartridges in the Visitor Center at the NEW Zoo in order to raise money for the Zoo and help the environment at the same time.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the NEW Zoo to raise much needed funds at no cost to us,” explained Jenny Decker, Education Coordinator. “Most people who use cell phones have one or two older ones lying around in a drawer. Those phones are worth money to us.”

The NEW Zoo is working with Louisville-based ECO-CELL, a company which pays organizations for collecting used cell phones, batteries, accessories and used ink cartridges.

Through ECO-CELL’s innovative program, 80% of the phones collected will be reused by first-time, low income users in Latin America or by selected local organizations, such as Battered Women’s Programs, for emergency use (911 calls). All unusable cell phones and accessories are recycled under strict EPA guidelines by certified recyclers.

The NEW Zoo collection effort will also have a positive impact on the local environment. By reducing the quantity of these cell phones and their accessories which end up in the local landfill, it keeps the toxic materials they contain (i.e. arsenic, cadmium, lead, zinc) from ending up in the waste stream.

ECO-CELL (www.eco-cell.org) promotes the opportunity for all types of organizations to raise money through the collection of previously used cell phones, accessories and used ink cartridges for the purpose of reuse or proper recycling. Since the organization collecting the phones and cartridges does not have to buy or sell anything, it is able to put 100% of what they raise directly toward its intended purpose.

The NEW Zoo is an always new, natural adventure that promotes recreation,
education and conservation through encounters with live animals.

The NEW Zoo is one of only six AZA accredited zoos in the country that does not receive
local or regional public tax support for the its annual operations.

© 2005 The NEW Zoo