Collection of used mobile phones at Apenheul (Photo: Gert Janssen)
Collecting used mobile telephones can be a simple and effective way of helping the EAZA Ape Campaign. In fact there are two positive effects from doing so: the companies that collect the phones will make a donation for each phone collected, and the resale of working phones reduces the demand for new telephones, thus reducing the need for new coltan to be mined. Coltan is an ore that is used in the manufacture of mobile devices; the population of Eastern lowland gorillas in Congo has declined drastically since coltan miners invaded national parks in the area.
How does it work?
The exact procedure will differ from company to company. But many Dutch zoos and some German zoos have worked successfully the Dutch company Eeko. In 2011 four Dutch zoos (GaiaPark, Blijdorp, Beekse Bergen and Apenheul) will cooperate in collecting mobile phones for the EAZA Ape Campaign together. Zoos from France, Germany, Belgium and Holland can easily join in with almost no effort.
Easy cooperation for France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands
Call upon your colleagues at the zoo, the volunteers, visitors and relations to collect mobile phones for the EAZA Ape Campaign. You will need to collect at least 50 mobile phones that can be reused. The list of types that Eeko works with can be obtained from c.mager@apenheul.nl. The phones should be collected with their battery included, but without the charger or sim card.
When you have collected 50 phones, just call Eeko Customer Support (+31 570 85 85 85) and they will collect the phones free of charge. (Within the Netherlands the threshold for free pick-up is 20 phones.)
The box containing the phones should be clearly marked ‘Ape Campaign Apenheul’, as Apenheul is handling the financial transaction between Eeko and EAZA. This will ensure that the payment for the phones you collected goes to the Ape Campaign.
Or set up your own agreement with Eeko
If your institution is in France, Belgium, Germany or the Netherlands, and you are thinking about larger scale structural cooperation with Eeko, please go to www.eeko.nl/pagina/aanmelden (their website will be available in more languages soon). You can agree on the amount to be paid per mobile phone collected, and set up a contract together.
Collecting mobile phones can be a very educational and quite easy way to get people enthusiastic for conservation. And it’s a great way to finance your conservation funds!
Not in France, Germany, Belgium or the Netherlands?
Sorry, we’re not (yet) familiar with companies that recycle mobile phones around Europe. But the topic is getting more and more attention everywhere, so hopefully it won’t be too hard for you to find a reliable recycling partner in your country.
And if it proves to be difficult, well the next EAZA Annual Conference is being held in Montpellier, which is of course in France! So whether you’re located outside the countries covered, or you have just have collected less than 50 mobile phones by September, or if you have difficulties to partner up: we can organise a transport from Montpellier to the recycling company!
Please let us know if you can recommend other companies providing a mobile phone recycling service.
