Partners in Conservation
Learn about the Zoo’s financial commitment to holistic conservation efforts in Central Africa.
Small Actions, Big Impact: Earth Day Recycling Drives at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium!
Spring brings new life, fresh energy—and the perfect opportunity to make a positive impact on our planet. At the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, we believe protecting wildlife starts with protecting the world we all call home.
As part of our Earth Day celebration, we’re hosting five unique recycling and donation drives from April 20–26, 2026, and you’re invited to take part! These events are designed to make it easy for Ohioans of all ages to recycle responsibly, support conservation efforts, and contribute to a healthier planet for both people and wildlife. Whether you're planning a springtime Zoo visit or just looking for a way to give back, these events are a simple, meaningful way to make a difference.
April 20: Handheld Electronics Recycling Drive
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Just outside the Zoo entrance
What if something sitting in your junk drawer could help protect a gorilla?
This Earth Day, it can.
The Columbus Zoo is proud to support the Gorillas on the Line campaign, giving your family a simple, meaningful way to make a real impact. When you donate handheld electronics, you help reduce the need for coltan mining, which can threaten critical gorilla habitats in the wild.
It’s one small thing to bring with you, and one powerful way to show your kids how everyday choices can help protect wildlife.
Bring along your unused devices when you visit, or stop by just to donate. Every contribution supports conservation efforts through the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Society, helping protect gorillas for generations to come.
April 21: Battery Donation Drive
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Outside the Zoo entrance
Got a drawer full of used batteries at home? This is your sign to finally do something with them.
Bring your single-use alkaline batteries to the Zoo this Earth Day and give them a second life. Recycling batteries helps keep harmful materials out of landfills, protects our water, and allows valuable resources to be reused instead of wasted.
It’s a simple way to make a big difference, and a great opportunity to show your kids how even the smallest actions can help protect wildlife and the world we share.
Just drive up, drop off, and go. Quick for you, powerful for the planet.
April 22: Recycling Drive
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Parking lot; follow cones after entering
Cleaning out the garage or finally tackling that kitchen drawer? Bring it with you.
This Earth Day, we’re proud to partner with Rumpke Waste & Recycling to help keep Central Ohio neighborhoods clean and green. When you bring your recyclables to the Zoo, you’re making it easier to keep valuable materials out of landfills and put them back to good use.
It’s a simple stop that turns everyday items into something meaningful, and a great way to show kids how caring for the planet can be part of any Zoo visit.
Load up the car, swing by, and drop off your recyclables before heading in for a day of exploration. Small actions like this add up to a cleaner, healthier world for wildlife and our community.
Want to know exactly what to bring? Check out the full list of accepted items before you go.
April 23: Electronic Recycling Drive
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Parking lot; follow signs to recycling trucks
That drawer of tangled cords and that TV you’ve been meaning to get rid of finally have a purpose.
This Earth Day, we’ve teamed up with Accurate IT Services to make it easy to recycle your unwanted electronics safely and responsibly. Instead of ending up in a landfill, your old tech can be properly processed and repurposed in ways that are better for the planet.
It’s a simple way to clear space at home and make a meaningful impact at the same time.
Bring your items along when you visit, or swing by just to drop them off. Some items may include a small recycling fee, and a full list of accepted materials is available through Accurate IT’s website.
Clean out the clutter. Do something good. Then head inside for a day your family will feel great about.
April 24: Clothing Donation Drive
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
That blazer you loved. Those shoes you wore once. They could be exactly what someone else needs right now.
This Earth Day, we’re partnering with Dress for Success Columbus to give gently used professional clothing a second life. Your donation can help women prepare for job interviews, return to the workforce, and take meaningful steps toward career growth.
It’s a powerful way to turn something in your closet into confidence for someone else.
You’re also welcome to bring additional clothing for men and children. While Dress for Success focuses on women’s professional attire, any additional items will be shared with local nonprofit partners so nothing goes to waste and more members of our community can benefit.
If you’re bringing multiple types of clothing, separating them ahead of time helps our team get everything where it needs to go quickly.
Bring what you can, knowing it will go further than you think.
Earth Day Weekend at the Zoo!
April 25 and 26, 2026
We’re planning a weekend full of nature-focused fun, educational experiences, and conservation inspiration.
- Special Earth Day activities for kids and families
- Keeper Talks
- Animal Encounters
- Ways to support wildlife conservation during your visit
It’s a celebration of the Earth we all share—and the role we each play in protecting it.
Why It Matters
Everything we do at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is rooted in a simple idea: when we care for nature, we care for ourselves, too. Your participation in these recycling and donation drives helps protect wildlife, reduce waste, and inspire a more sustainable future. Whether you're dropping off an old phone or a bag of clothes, you’re part of something bigger—and we’re so grateful to have you by our side.
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Empowering People.
Saving Wildlife.
