Harris County Funds Houston Zoo Battery Recycling Education Program

Harris County Commissioners Court approved $1.49 million in additional grant funding for the Houston Zoo's ZEEBRA program. ZEEBRA stands for Zoos Education on Electronics and Battery Recycling Awareness. This program teaches our community about safely disposing of old electronics and batteries. The Houston Zoo uses this funding to create educational programs that show families how electronic waste harms our environment and wildlife. When we throw away phones, tablets, and batteries incorrectly, toxic materials can leak into our soil and water. The ZEEBRA program connects environmental education with wildlife conservation. Visitors learn how proper recycling protects the animals they love seeing at the zoo. Harris County residents benefit because this program reduces harmful waste in our neighborhoods. It teaches children and adults better recycling habits that keep our air and water cleaner. The funding extension means the program can continue serving more schools and families across Harris County. Students get hands-on learning about environmental responsibility. Teachers receive free curriculum materials. Families learn practical steps for recycling electronics at home. To participate, visit the Houston Zoo's education programs or contact your child's school about bringing ZEEBRA programming to their classroom. You can also practice what the program teaches by taking old electronics to certified recycling centers throughout Harris County.

This program teaches our families how to safely throw away old phones, tablets, and batteries so they don't poison our water, soil, and the animals we love. Kids learn to protect our environment while having fun at the zoo.