Download Memphis Zoo Green Initiative Page

Memphis Zoo Green Initiative Page
Water Conservation
It is estimated that the average American uses between 80-100 gallons of water per day. At the
Memphis Zoo, we are taking steps to reduce our water footprint and conserve as much water as
possible for our wild life and planet. Several steps we have taken to reduce our water usage include:
• Fixed old leaks in exhibit pools
• Building new exhibits that have closed water systems with filtration
• Begun to outline a plan to use more “water-wise” and native plants
• Timers have been put on many of the automatic sprinklers to reduce water load
• Reduced or removed many dump-and-fill exhibit areas
• All future purchases of washing machines will be high efficiency machines reducing water load
• Heavy use of mulch to reduce ground water loss – good for the plants too!
• Rain sensors have been installed on half of the Zoo’s irrigation system. Goal is to have all under
rain sensors by the end of 2014
Energy Conservation
The average household in America uses approximately 11,000 kwh annually. This equates to spending
well over two thousand dollars per household annually on energy bills. There are many ways the Zoo
has become more efficient in our energy usage such as:
• Installed timers on most of our waterfalls so they shut down at night
• Installing energy star appliances as old systems fail
• Repaired or replaced old and outdated water pump equipment with more efficient equipment
• Replacing fixed thermostats with programmable ones
• Unplugging phantom loads from electrical appliances and computers
• In process of changing regular Christmas lights over to LED
• Replacing incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs as they fail
• Turning most of our lights off at night except during special events
• Reduced vehicle idling
• A couple golf carts have had solar powered chargers installed as a pilot project (e.g. a Solar
panel is used to run the water tank for daily watering of containers and topiaries.
Solid Waste
Each American generates around 1,500 pounds of waste per year and approximately 75% of that
material can be recycled. To reduce our solid waste and carbon footprint, the Memphis Zoo is:
• Recycling all glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, batteries, computer equipment, cell phones, ink
cartridges, copper, concrete, and oil
• We sell recycled products in the gift shop
• Paper printing is encouraged to be double-sided with expanding margins
• All Zoo wide memos are emailed as is the Zoo internal newsletter. Zoo communications are
occurring more frequently over social media and email, thus reducing paper use
• Zoo maps can be downloaded at front gate to a smart phone via QR codes so guest can have a
paperless map. Map recycling containers are located at exit doors
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A composting demonstration site is located at “The Farm Exhibit”
Use of compostable materials (like glasses, forks, plates, etc.) for special events
We removed Styrofoam and straws from most zoo operations
Zoo keepers reuse products (buckets, cardboard, canisters) as environmental enrichment for
animals
Zoo’s brand new playground built out of 30% recycled materials
New Zoo benches are made of recycled material
Much of the Zoo’s office furniture is refurbished from International Paper of Memphis
Many of the pruned branches, shrubs and trees on zoo grounds are used for browse for animals.
A significant portion of the Zoo’s leaf debris in the fall is mulched to compost and used for
annual and perennial beds throughout the zoo.
Eco-Friendly Practices
The Memphis Zoo also is cognizant that as a large institution with a million visitors per year, our
purchasing power is significant and our choices need to be environmentally friendly. Currently:
 We purchase the following Eco-friendly products: hand soap, toilet paper, hand towels, and
washing detergent
 Our food vendors use a lot of locally sourced food reducing transport costs
 Our food vendors also sponsor several recycling water bottle programs and utilize
biodegradable straws, utensils and plate ware
 Our Education Department classes, camps, and snoozes regularly include topics on going green
to help save the planet and what children can do at home to protect species like polar bears,
tigers, frogs or even turtles that need their help. Additionally, the Education department only
serves palm oil initiative orangutan friendly snacks and meals for all camps and snoozes.