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POWELL, OH – Earth Day is here—and at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the celebration continues all week long! From now through Sunday, April 27, guests and community members are invited to take part in a series of meaningful, eco-friendly activities and donation drives that support the planet, wildlife, and one another.
With a variety of events already underway and more still to come, now is the perfect time for everyone to engage in some spring cleaning, clear out those closets, and join the Zoo in taking action to help protect wildlife and our planet.
To explore daily activities, recycling drive guidelines, and ways to participate, visit ColumbusZoo.org/events.
Earth Day Celebration Weekend
Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27
Join us this weekend for a family-friendly celebration filled with interactive activities and entertainment that highlight how we can all make a difference.
Event Highlights:
- Conservation Activity Stations: Hands-on booths just inside the entrance, hosted by local environmentally-focused organizations, including the Ohio EPA, Franklin Park Conservatory, and more.
- Party for the Planet – Presented by Columbia Gas of Ohio and OHIO811: A high-energy dance party at Lakeside Pavilion at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
- Character Ambassador Meet and Greets and Rolling Celebrations: Catch your favorite characters for fun photos and musical parades around the Zoo.
- Keeper Talks – Presented by Fifth Third Bank: Learn directly from the Animal Care team at select habitats throughout the day.
Earth Day Celebration Weekend activities are included with Zoo admission.
Recycling and Donation Drives: Still Time to Participate!
Throughout the week, guests can bring recyclable or reusable items to the Zoo’s designated drop-off areas—even if they are not visiting the Zoo itself. When guests let the parking booth attendant know they are participating in a drive, they will receive free parking lot access.
- Handheld Electronics Recycling Drive (April 21 | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.): The Columbus Zoo is proud to support the Gorillas on the Line campaign—part of a nationwide effort to protect gorilla habitats in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by recycling small handheld electronics containing coltan. Accepted items include phones, MP3 players, tablets, and other small devices. Recycling efforts during Earth Week build on the Zoo’s year-round commitment to this initiative benefitting gorillas. Since 2019, the Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, Safari Golf Club, The Wilds have donated over 2,400 devices through this program. Guests can also recycle phones year-round outside the Guest Relations office located just inside the Zoo's main entrance.
- Battery Donation Drive (April 22, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.): Drop off single-use alkaline batteries for proper recycling and keep toxic materials out of landfills. (Rechargeable and lead batteries not accepted.)
- Styrofoam Recycling Drive (April 23, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.): In partnership with SWACO, the Zoo is collecting expanded polystyrene (clean packaging and foam coolers only).
- Electronic Recycling Drive (April 24, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.): Recycle old electronics with Accurate IT Services. Some fees apply for specific items like TVs. See the event page for details.
- Item Donation Drive (April 25, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.): Donate gently used items like clothing, books, tools, electronics, and small furniture in partnership with Goodwill. Items will be reused or recycled—including through the Dell Reconnect program. See the Marion Goodwill’s donation guide for details.
A Community Committed to Conservation
This week of action is made possible by our corporate partners Columbia Gas of Ohio and OHIO811, and in collaboration with Accurate IT Services, Eco-Cell, Goodwill, and SWACO.
For additional information about the Columbus Zoo’s events, conservation initiatives, educational programs, and more, follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org.
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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 600 animal species from around the world, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.
