Through the end of April, Weber State University — in conjunction with the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City — is collecting small electronics through an initiative called “Gorillas on the Line.”

“The campaign … helps protect gorilla habitats,” a WSU press release stated. “Cell phones and other small electronic devices contain a mineral called coltan, which is mined in areas of Africa that are home to critically endangered gorillas. By recycling these devices, the need to mine for coltan decreases.”

WSU Sustainability Engagement Coordinator Analeah Vaughn told the Standard-Examiner on Monday that this is part of Weber State’s broader mission to reduce its output of waste.

“Weber State is working to reduce the waste we send to the landfill through composting, recycling, reusing and reducing in general,” she said. “We recycle Weber State’s electronics, but we haven’t really had a way to recycle peoples’ personal electronics.

“Tori Bird from the Hogle Zoo contacted us last year and asked if we wanted to be involved with this initiative and we got on board because it’s for a great cause, and it really helps people get rid of some of the items that they may have been holding on to because they didn’t really know what else to do with.”

Vaughn said that in its first year last year, the initiative collected around two boxes of electronics totaling less than 100 pounds. Through last Friday, the small electronics drive has collected around 163 pounds of small electronics to be recycled so far in its second year

Accepted items include cellphones, smartphones, iPads, iPods, tablets, smart watches, adapters, chargers, MP3 players, handheld gaming systems and headphones.

Vaughn said they can’t accept laptops or any larger electronics at this time.

“I have seen a lot of people excited that they finally have something to do with all of their old cellphones that they’ve been collecting,” she said.

She added that the recycling helps a much greater cause.

“Everyone loves gorillas, so people are excited they can get rid of these items and do it for a good cause,” she said. “We have so many electronics that are being made every year. If we’re able to utilize some of the metals in our old electronics for new electronics, I think that goes a long way.”

Small electronics can be dropped off at the following locations at WSU for recycling:

• WSU Ogden Wildcat Store, 3910 W. Campus Drive.
• WSU Downtown, 2314 Washington Blvd.
• WSU Davis Wildcat Store, 2750 University Park Blvd.

Electronics will be accepted through April 30.