Boreal toads reminding us to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!
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To ensure a healthy planet for both humans and animals, Denver Zoo is committed to taking positive environmental action through the prevention of pollution, continual improvement of our organization’s sustainable practices, and the meeting or exceeding of all environmental standards. Being the first zoo in the nation to have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certified Sustainable Management System for our entire operations shows environmental leadership and the Zoo’s commitment to continually minimize the environmental impacts of our day-to-day activities.
For more information on our recent accomplishments, long-term green resolutions, community partners, or green energy and water practices, please click the buttons above
ZOO QUOTE: “As an organization dedicated to wildlife conservation, Denver Zoo is trying to be as environmentally conscious as possible, in every facet of our organization. We’re encouraging others to do the same. It’s amazing how small changes can result in tremendous positive impact, especially when many people practice them over time.”
—Denver Zoo President/CEO Craig Piper |
Denver Zoo has a full-time Sustainability Coordinator who guides Denver Zoo’s Workplace Conservation “Green Team.” Together representatives from every zoo department assemble an annual plan with new goals and initiatives for reducing the impacts of our operations on the environment.
Denver Zoo’s Workplace Conservation Committee was selected as a 2010 Sustainability Champion Team Award winner! The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Sustainability Champion Award is sponsored by PAETEC and brought to you in partnership with ColoradoBiz magazine, Connected Organizations for a Responsible Economy (CORE), and the Colorado Environmental Partnership. The award acknowledges the accomplishments of individuals and teams who have gone above and beyond in their sustainability efforts.
For more information on any Denver Zoo green practice please email the Green Team at WPCC@denverzoo.org.
 Green Accomplishments
- First zoo to receive ISO 14001 certification for all operations.
- Successfully developed a functioning, portable demonstration gasification system. A larger system will be in place when Toyota Elephant Passage is completed that will convert 90% of the Zoo’s waste into usable energy.
- Denver Zoo’s Workplace Conservation Committee awarded Colorado Department of Public Health Sustainability Champion Team Award for 2010.
- Awarded Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment’s Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) Gold Leader.
- Member of the “Rocky Mountain Greener Venues Partnership” sponsored by U.S. EPA Region 8.
- Zoo Lights converted to 100% LED, saving 70-90% more energy than regular incandescent holiday lights.
- An energy assessment was performed by Xcel Energy on more than 30 buildings and exhibits. This energy assessment is a first step toward Denver Zoo developing a long-term energy conservation plan.
- Denver Zoo provides RTD “Eco Pass” as a benefit for all regular full time employees, promoting an ecologically-sound option for commuting.
- Denver Zoo employees in 2009 logged a total of 156,000 commuter miles using alternative transportation (public bus, light rail, walk, bike and carpool). Data was recorded in Denver Zoo’s ECO-Wheels custom transportation logging database.
- Hosted a zero-waste event at the annual Do At The Zoo.
- Implemented admission discount of $2 for guests who use RTD to get to Denver Zoo.
- Diverted approximately 680 tons of compostable material from the landfill for 2008-2009.
- Reduced annual water usage from 320 million gallons in 1999 to 150 million in 2007.
- In 2010, Denver Zoo recycled 16,813 pounds of electronic waste with Luminous Recycling through an employee and public recycling collection event.
- Denver Zoo guests recycled more than 350 used ink jet cartridges in 2009.
- Denver Zoo guests helped conservation efforts through Answer the Call of the Wild, recycling over 415 cell phones in 2009.
- All Denver Zoo membership cards are made of 100% biodegradable material.
- Converted the Zoo train from diesel fuel to an environmentally friendly natural gas.
- Installed Zoo’s first solar-powered gate.
Green Res“Zoo”lutions
Each year, Denver Zoo’s Workplace Conservation Committee solicits suggestions from Zoo staff and volunteers and sets goals for green operations. Here are some of Denver Zoo’s long-term resolutions:
- The entire 10-acre Toyota Elephant Passage complex, which includes 10 major buildings, is expected to be certified at the gold or platinum level. To achieve LEED® certification, Toyota Elephant Passage will use renewable energy, recycled water, natural daylight and ventilation, efficient heating and cooling systems, and other green design and construction practices.
- Develop a procedure to incorporate green building practices into all capital projects.
- Develop a long-term energy conservation plan.
- Update 1999 baseline water audit performed by Denver Water and develop a long-term water conservation plan.
- Establish baseline data and tracking methods to assist in reporting carbon emissions from Zoo operations and documenting progress yearly.
- Identify and label all storm water inlets on zoo property and develop a storm water best practices plan for improving storm water quality.
- Continue developing Denver Zoo’s one-of-a-kind “Green Works” environmental purchasing software program.
- Continue development of Denver Zoo’s gasification system, and a waste collection program that fully supports gasification and efforts to meet our overall goal for zero waste by 2025.
- Reduce employee single occupancy vehicle (SOV) commuting trips by 10% from 2009.
- Support local businesses working hard to green their business practices through Denver Zoo’s Greener Community Card.
- Develop and offer conservation and sustainability focused curriculum, programs, and tours for the public.
- Sharing all of our success in the development of a sustainability report for the Zoo’s 2010 Annual Report.
- Continue efforts toward zero-waste events including Do At The Zoo, ZOOmily, and Brew At The Zoo.
Energy Conservation by Gasification
 As part of the design for the upcoming Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit, Denver Zoo has made a commitmentto finding ways to use its waste stream to generate energy for heat and power on site. The gasification system will convert more than 90 percent of the Zoo’s waste into usable energy, significantly reducing the amount of waste going to landfills.
ZOO FACT: Poop + Trash = Power!
Every day, Denver Zoo produces an average 4,200 pounds of general waste that goes to landfills(food waste and trash left by visitors), and 2,700 pounds of animal waste that currently is composted. Preliminary estimates indicate that the conversion of Zoo waste into usable energy could save as much as $150,000 a year in energy costs and reduce Denver Zoo’s landfill by 1.5 million pounds per year! |
Biomass gasification is a clean, environmentally-friendly technology that has been in use for decades, but has never been used for such a diverse waste stream ranging from human trash to animal waste. The zoo’s groundbreaking use of this technology has put us on the cutting edge of green technology that could influence the way businesses worldwide handle their waste.
Denver Zoo’s functioning, portable demonstration gasification system (unit sized at 10kW, consuming approximately 20-30 lbs/hour of biomass developed to help Denver Zoo understand and demonstrate the reality of gasification prior to building the larger scale unit for the Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit.
ZOO FACT: Denver Zoo has reduced its overall annual water usage by more than 50%—from approximately 320 million gallons in 1999 to approximately 150 million gallons in 2007. |
Water Conservation
Denver Zoo has implemented several water conservation projects over the last 10 years including the following:
- In 2004, the first segment of recycled water infrastructure was installed. This system supports landscape irrigation as well as cleaning of animal exhibits and is estimated to replace as much as 75 percent of our current potable water demand with recycled water.
- Denver Zoo partners with Denver Water to help communicate the need to use water wisely to our visitors.
- Denver Zoo is in the process of installing infrastructure to support the use of recycled water throughout our 80-acre campus:
 Installation of circulation and filtration systems at the Northern Shores Duck Ponds; Renovations to the water filtration systems at Sea Lion and Polar Bear exhibits; Construction of water quality wetland and recirculation system at the Flamingo Pond.
Community Partners
Denver Zoo partners with many local organizations to help stay on the green frontlines and invest in the sustainability of our greater community. Below are the links to these valuable partners:
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