Video: Some of our Great Ape-ril coverage at the BioPark.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) — This Saturday, ABQ BioPark is holding a free e-waste recycling event at Tingly Beach from 8 a.m. to noon. They’re accepting the vast majority of everyday devices — cellphones, laptops, and even those extra cords you can’t quite remember the purpose of.
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We know we’re supposed to recycle old electronics, but how important is it exactly? Extremely, according to ABQ BioPark Development Manager Allyson Zahm. “[Electronics] can be very damaging to the environment if they’re not disposed of properly,” said Zahm. “It also really helps to recycle material, so we are taking less from the earth and are able to reuse as many materials as possible.”
When it comes to developing new electronics, there are major environmental concerns involved. Cobalt and coltan mining are among those concerns. Cobalt is a mineral typically used to create reusable batteries, but it poses a slew of health problems for the humans who mine it, as well as environmental issues. The mineral coltan is similar — it’s integrally used in our electronics, yet the process of mining it has sparked discussion of human right violations, and worries of deforestation.
Coltan mining can even pose a threat to endangered animals, specifically, gorillas. “That’s because this material is found in their habitats in Africa,” said Zahm. “What is happening is mining is… reducing the amount of space available to gorillas, and that is just one thing that is helping contribute to their endangered status. So the more we can do to protect their existing habitat, the better shot gorillas have at surviving.”
Zahm says by recycling old electronics, we’re reducing the need to mine for minerals like coltan, while also keeping harmful chemicals from degrading into the landfill. Although the majority of electronics can be recycled on Saturday, there are a couple of limitations — large appliances like fridges, freezers, TVs, microwaves, or vacuums are not able to recycled at the BioPark’s event.
To Zahm, the e-recycling event is a way to inspire people to take local action. “This is one really great way of doing it, because when we’re throwing stuff into the trash in Albuquerque, most of the time it’s ending up in the landfills here in Albuquerque, which can cause harm to our soil, to our water, to our air,” said Zahm. “So this is something any individual can do – that’s why we make it free, that’s why we make it so easy with the drive-up, drop off.” She says other ways to take environmental action include buying glass over plastic, maybe having a meatless meal a week, or even growing vegetables at home.
If you’re trying to become more environmentally conscious, Zahm believes the BioPark is a great place to start. “Any visit to the BioPark will give you tips and ideas. And that might be whether you’re trying to visit the aquarium and learn about how to protect the ocean, or visiting the zoo and learning how to protect animals like gorillas,” said Zahm. “We’re always here as a community resource, we have amazing education programs, we have lots of ways we can help get people excited and motivated and inspired to protect the earth.”
You can find more information about Saturday’s event online.