Little Rock Recycling Event Recycles Tons of Materials; Plans Underway for Next Event

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (February 12, 2024) Through a remarkable collaborative effort between the Little Rock Zoo, Keep Little Rock Beautiful, and the Little Rock Sustainability Office, four highly successful recycling events were held throughout 2023. Held quarterly in the Zoo's east parking lot, these initiatives encouraged residents to responsibly recycle various items, ranging from electronics to bicycles, thereby significantly decreasing overall waste placed in landfills.

The drive-through set-up of the events facilitated convenient drop-offs, attracting hundreds of cars and fostering a community-wide commitment to recycling. A grand total of 38.4 tons of recyclable materials were collected over the course of these four events, underscoring the significant impact of the community's participation.

To put this achievement into perspective, the weight of the largest elephant at the Little Rock Zoo, Babe, is only 5.3 tons, when combined with the other two elephants, Sophie and Zina, their total weight is 11.8 tons. While impressive, this figure pales in comparison to the substantial 38.4 tons of recycling collected in 2023.

The next scheduled event is March 30, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Residents are invited to contribute to the cause by bringing various recyclables, including single-stream items, plastic bags, glass, and bicycles. The drop-off location can be accessed by entering the Zoo's East Parking Lot via Monroe Drive. Additional details we be provided on the Zoo’s website, closer to the date of the event.

About Keep Little Rock Beautiful:

Keep Little Rock Beautiful (KLRB) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2005 by a group of individuals passionate about the environmental quality of life in Little Rock. We empower and work with Little Rock residents and business owners to prevent litter, to recycle waste, and to beautify where we all live, work, and play. For more information, visit keeplittlerockbeautiful.com or email info@klrb.org. 

About the Zoo:

The Little Rock Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, visit www.aza.org.

For more information on Little Rock Zoo, visit www.littlerockzoo.com or call 501-661-7200.