Cell Phone Recycling

I'm wrapping up a cell phone recycling initiative at work.
It was a great success, we were able to collect 42 phones!
That's the magic number.

After some research, I opted to go through the non-profit Eco-cell which partners with the National Zoo for three great reasons:
- For each phone they'll contribute up to $15 to the Friends of the National Zoo which provides support to wildlife conservation programs at the Zoo and around the world.
- All phones, batteries and accessories are refurbished if possible, otherwise they are recycled under strict EPA guidelines. This complete No Landfill approach prevents the leaching of toxic chemicals and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium and lead into the environment.
- Cellphone recycling also helps protect the lowland gorillas of Congo who are threatened by the mining of columnite-tantalite (coltan) used in cell phones.

This last point is how I actually got started on all this.
A friend's father asked me for help with mapping some areas of Congo as he was looking to acquire mining rights for coltan. Unfortunately when i researched it a bit, i found out how in Congo it is mined in the middle of endangered gorilla and elephant habitat. These animals are often killed by rebel bands of natives mining this ore. The UN reported that for the past five years, the eastern lowland gorilla population in Congo has declined by 90%.



After we met for this mapping and GIS work, I'm not sure how far he pursued his efforts but at least i have him to thank for indirectly bringing to my attention the adverse consequences of cell phones.

And why stop now, next up I'm kicking off a battery recycling initiative at work too.