Waste
GOAL: Divert 75% of waste from the landfill by 2030
Goal update
Baseline: 8.8% diversion rate
April 2024: 57.0% diversion rate
Goal: 75% diversion rate
Recent Achievements
Styrofoam
In 2018, departments across the Zoo worked together to eliminate Styrofoam use in dining services by changing purchasing policies.
Composting
The Zoo composts waste generated from zookeeping such as animal waste and straw bedding. Compost weight was added to the diversion rate beginning in 2018, which previously was based solely on recycling. Composting increased the diversion rate by approximately 40%. An increase in browse for animal diets and enrichment has increased compost generation.
Straw-less Campaign
The Zoo partnered with local businesses as part of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s “The First Step” campaign to reduce plastic straw use. As part of this campaign, the Zoo switched from single-use plastic straws to more environmentally friendly biodegradable paper straws.
Water Bottle Filling Stations
All nonpublic-facing water fountains were converted to hands-free bottle fillers in early 2021 to reduce plastic consumption. Several public-facing water fountains were also replaced in the second half of 2021.