Dickerson Park Zoo's Cell Phone Recycling Helps Protect Chilean Flamingos

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- If you're reading this on your cell phone, you're holding a piece of a flamingo's home in your hand.

Lithium, an essential component of batteries in smart phones, tablets, and other electronics, is mined from the habitats of Andean Highland Flamingos in Chile.

"It's an interesting conundrum," said zoo spokeswoman Joey Powell. "The demand for clean, renewable energy isn't always so clean and renewable."

Dickerson Park Zoo and Friends of the Zoo participate in several SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) programs through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, which includes SAFE Andean Highland Flamingo.

As the demand for lithium continues to soar, recycling old phones and tablets is a simple way for people to help in world-wide conservation efforts.

The average household has a few old cell phones and tablets stuck in a drawer. Now, Dickerson Park Zoo can turn old phones and tablets into conservation support.

"Think of it as a modern day soda can recycling opportunity," said Powell. "Only, this recycling program makes a global impact."

Partnering with Eco-cell, located in Louisville, Kentucky, Dickerson Park Zoo serves as a collection site for old phones.

"Eco-Cell is the result of zoo conservation programming," said owner Eric Ronay. "Through our zoo partners we learned how wildlife is affected by the manufacture of electronics and created a company designed to mitigate that impact by recycling electronic gadgets."

Cell phones and tablets should be wiped clean of all data before donating. Other recyclable items include: iPods, mp3 players, smartwatches and digital cameras, plus all cords and cables that come with these items. The drop box is located in the gift shop at Dickerson Park Zoo.

For more information on ecocell and accepted electronics, visit Eco-cell.

Dickerson Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org.

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SOURCE Dickerson Park Zoo