Suffield Rotary has collected 160 lbs. of recycled electronics and through Eco-Cell Recycling has supported GRACEGorillas.org, an organization working in the Congo to rescue gorillas and provide a habitat for their sanctuary.
Why Recycle Your Electronics? Electronics linked to gorilla habitat destruction include Coltan-mined devices. Recycling reduces mining, prevents landfill toxins, and recovers valuable materials. Items that can be recycled: Cell Phones/Smartphones, iPads/Tablets, iPods/mp3 Players, GPS, Smartwatches, Airpods/Earbuds, VR Headsets and Digital Cameras and cables.
The Problem. With more than six billion cell phones worldwide and less than 20% recycled, electronics contribute to habitat loss for gorillas through Coltan mining. Americans typically replace phones every two years.
Who Benefits from your donation? GRACE, operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, works with communities to protect over 500,000 acres of habitat for people and gorillas. GRACE provides the only sanctuary for rescued Grauer’s gorillas, focusing on rewilding and supporting this endangered species within a biodiversity hotspot. The results of recycling will: Fund gorilla conservation, reduce resource mining in gorilla habitats, prevent toxic waste and reclaim precious metals.
Electronic drop off boxes are located at: M&T Bank, Suffield Town Hall, Suffield Senior Center, Kent Memorial Library, and Suffield High School Office. Thank you for supporting this worthwhile project.