Electronic April – this has concluded

Share:

Gorillas are on the line; answer the call! We are pleased to present “Electronic April,” which offers free daytime admission through the month of April for 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) conservation program.

Accepted devices (in any condition) include:

• Cell phones (any age)
• Tablets and eReaders
• Smart watches (Apple/Android)
• Digital cameras
• MP3 players
• GPS devices
• Handheld gaming devices

Guests presenting a small electronic at admission gates immediately receive one free admission per listed device on their day of arrival in April, as well as a 10% off coupon for Zoo retail items valid for the day of their visit.

Guests may bring more than one device and receive one admission for each device, though devices cannot be rain checked for alternate days or times. 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 free admission.

The free entry program is only available through April 30, 2023, 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.

What happens to devices provided to the Zoo? What about data security?

Devices provided to the Zoo will go into a secure lock box, then be mailed to the AZA Gorilla SAFE program recycling partner, ECO-CELL.

Per their website, ECO-CELL does not clear data from the devices it recycles. It is highly recommended that you clear data from your devices before bringing them to the Zoo for recycling. If unsure of this procedure, ECO-CELL recommends referencing this NYT\Wirecutter article for data erasure. 

• For Apple devices please turn off “FMI” Find my iPhone, remove iCloud account and remove screen lock password.
• ​For Android users please log out of all Google and Samsung accounts before recycling then remove any screen lock password.

Other devices may have other data security measures; guests may search and determine personal data security measures for donated devices.