Electronics trash, called e-waste, makes up only about 2% of trash generated annually in the U.S., yet it contributes as much as 70% of the environmental pollutants, which makes recycling efforts like the Zoo’s so important.
Consumer interest in recycling their old electronics has not been increasing along with the consumption rate for high-tech gadgetry. A report released in 2019 by the United Nations indicated worldwide production of electronic waste is nearly 50 million tons annually, and that figure could reach 120 million tons by 2050. Since a peak in 2014 when nearly 42 percent (3.4 million tons) of U.S.-generated e-waste was being recycled, that rate dropped to less than 36 percent by 2017, according to a recent EPA study.
The Zoo takes a leadership role in this challenge, not only by hosting two electronics recycling events each year but also by recycling as much Zoo waste as possible — from plastics and office paper to tree trimmings and “Zoo doo.” Special thanks to Ray’s Trash Service, the Zoo’s official every day recycling partner.
