Gorillas on the Line

What do gorillas and cell phones have in common?

Our mobile devices are indispensable parts of our daily lives. But when it’s time for a new device, what you do with the old one can have a direct connection to gorillas and other wildlife.

Rare earth minerals are mined in the production of cell phones and other small electronics, and these are found only in a few places in the world, including gorilla habitat – leading to habitat loss for already endangered species.

Recycling your old cell phone helps to reduce the demand, raises funds for gorilla conservation, and keeps electronics out of the landfill.

Cell phone recycling raises funds to support AZA SAFE Gorilla programs. While you can recycle your old devices throughout the year, Gorillas on the Line … Answer the Call is an annual global mobile phone recycling challenge organized by AZA SAFE Gorilla, with participants from across the country and around the world. Partner organizations recruit schools and businesses in their surrounding areas to collect small electronics to be shipped to our partners at ecocell or other centers to be recycled.

Proceeds from devices donated to ecocell will be equally distributed through AZA SAFE Gorilla to support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society – Nigeria, and GRACE Gorillas in the protection of Grauer’s gorillas and Cross River gorillas.

How to get involved

Join Zoo Atlanta in saving gorillas!

• Register your school, organization, or business to receive campaign emails and updates throughout the year. 
• Gather your team and collect as many phones for recycling as possible from February 1 – September 1.
• Spread the word with this flyer. 
• Ship your phones to ecocell by September 1. Ecocell will process the phones and tabulate totals.
• Results will be announced on World Gorilla Day on September 24.

REGISTER NOW

You can also bring your phones to Zoo Atlanta to recycle.

ANY kind of cell phone will be accepted! You can drop your cell phone off with any member of the Admissions Team, or deposit it in the collection bin at The Ford Willie B. Gorilla Conservation Center.

Together, we are saving gorillas and their habitats!

• 2024: 18,582 devices collected and $12,468 raised
• 2023: 35,174 devices collected and $28,337 raised
• 2022: 13,885 devices collected and $10,442 raised
• 2021: 10,116 devices collected and over $2,400 raised
• 2020: 6,194 devices collected and over $2,000 raised
• 2019: 12,486 devices collected and $6,055 raised

Total to date: 96,437 devices collected and $61,702 raised for gorilla conservation!

To learn about AZA SAFE Gorilla, Cross River and Grauer’s gorillas, read more here.

Gorillas on the Line: FAQs

How does recycling work?

Gorillas on the Line partners with ecocell to recycle all collected devices. Ecocell works directly with Gorillas on the Line participants to distribute prepaid shipping labels at the end of the campaign, or whenever you or your group are ready to send in your collection. For a free shipping label, email eric@eco-cell.com.

How does recycling my electronic device help save gorillas?

Proceeds from devices recycled through ecocell support our field partners: Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Wildlife Conservation Society – Nigeria, and GRACE Gorillas. The funds directly support conservation efforts for Grauer’s gorillas and Cross River gorillas.

What devices can be recycled?

For this campaign, we are collecting cell phones, smartphones, iPads, iPods, tablets, Apple watches, adapters, chargers, mp3 players, handheld gaming systems, and headphones. We cannot accept laptops for recycling at this time.

How else can I take action?

Amplify your impact through our Give Five for Gorillas initiative! Launched in 2023 in honor of five years of Gorillas on the Line, this effort raised an additional $700 for conservation through AZA SAFE Gorilla. Direct donations* made here will amplify your impact to support gorilla conservation through on-the-ground protection, research and monitoring, and stakeholder engagement and education.

*Please note: The PayPal site is graciously hosted at no charge through Zoo Atlanta, and all proceeds directly benefit AZA SAFE Gorilla.