Gorillas are on the line; answer the call! The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is pleased to present the return of “e-Cycle Week,” which offers discounted daytime admission April 21-25, 2025 to guests who bring small electronics to the Zoo to recycle. This program is offered in cooperation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) Gorilla program, encouraging guests to engage with conservation efforts.
Guests presenting a small electronic at admission booth immediately receive $15 admission per listed device during April 21-25, 2025. Accepted devices (in any condition) include:
- Mobile/cellular phones (any age)
- Smart phones
- eReaders
- Tablets
- Smart watches (Apple/Android)
- Digital cameras
Laptops are not accepted.
Guests may bring more than one device and receive the $15 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. Guests may also bring associated cords and power cables for recycling, but a listed small electronic device must be present for discounted admission.
While the discounted admission is only during the listed week, 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.
