• Goal: Divert the maximum amount of waste from landfills through source reduction, reuse, composting and recycling.

Recycling Success

In 2007, Lincoln Park Zoo diverted nearly 200 tons of recyclables from the landfill—a 30 percent increase over 2006!

Download our 2007 recycling report. (.pdf)

Visitor Recycling Programs

Recycle during your visit!  New canisters allow aluminum cans, plastic bottles & cups, and mixed paper to be recycled at Lincoln Park Zoo.

The canisters can be found throughout zoo grounds and along the parking lot.  Look for the Mixed Paper canisters at each entrance/exit.

This project was funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Energy and Recycling and the Brinson Foundation; the posters were designed and donated by Midpoint International Inc.

Bring in your cell phone and batteries to recycle at Lincoln Park Zoo! The zoo will receive up to $15 for each phone, money that will be used to fund our environmental initiatives.

Collection boxes are available at Wild Things gift shop and Gateway Pavilion. Cell phone chargers and other accessories can be recycled in the same box.

Learn more about cell phone recycling and waste here.

Visitors are also encouraged to recycle their old batteries at the zoo—all types of dry-cell batteries are acceptable.