“E-cycle Week” Offers Discounted Admission

Recycle a Mobile Device or Tablet and Receive $15 Admission April 21-27, 2024

April 17, 2024

Gorillas are on the line; answer the call! The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is pleased to present “e-Cycle Week,” which offers discounted daytime admission April 21-27, 2024, to guests who bring small electronics to the Zoo to recycle. This program is offered in cooperation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Gorilla SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program, and continues the celebration of Earth Day, encouraging guests to engage with conservation efforts.

To promote this initiative, the Pittsburgh Zoo will offer one $15 daytime admission April 21-27 for one of the following devices, in any condition:

  • Mobile/cellular phones (any age)
  • Smart phones
  • eReaders
  • Tablets
  • Smart watches (Apple/Android)
  • Digital cameras

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Guests presenting the above small electronic at the admission gates immediately receive one $15  admission per listed device on their day of arrival April 21-27.

Guests may bring more than one device and receive one admission for each device, though devices cannot be rainchecked for alternate days or times, nor can they be stacked to receive discounts more significant than $15 admission. Laptops are not accepted. Guests may also bring associated cords and power cables for recycling, but a listed small electronic device must be present for discounted admission.

“This program welcomes our neighbors to the Zoo with a discounted admission, while also promoting our mission of conservation,” says Ron Gruca, Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Chief Advancement Officer. “It allows us to extend our celebration of Earth Day and support our resident troop of endangered western lowland gorillas.”

The discounted entry program is only available April 21-27, 2024, though guests will be able to continue to bring small electronics and cords to recycle at the Zoo throughout the year to help the environment. In 2023, the Zoo won the Silverback Award for most devices donated. A total of 12,938 electronic devices were collected from guests – almost half the entire amount collected by all participating zoos nationwide.

Recycling old electronics raises money to support gorilla conservation initiatives, such as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Wildlife Conservation Society. Additionally, cell phones and other small electronics contain a mineral called coltan, which is being mined in areas which include gorilla habitats in Africa. Recycling small electronics reduces the demand for coltan, which helps protect these native habitats.

The discounted admission initiative has the goal of inspiring guests to participate in creating a future for wildlife.