What is sustainability?
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland Commission, United Nations, 1987)
The Philadelphia Zoo celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2009. We have spent more than 150 years building strong programs in education and wildlife conservation aimed at accomplishing our mission which is, "By connecting people with wildlife, the Philadelphia Zoo creates joyful discovery and inspires action for animals and habitats."
In addition, one of the Zoo's strategic initiatives is to become a leader among zoos and community organizations in achieving sustainable ("green") operating practices and engage our guests in "greening" their lives. With 1.2 million visitors annually, we're poised to educate our community, model sustainable practices and provide tools for taking action to live greener.
We're working in five key areas to meet our "
Footprints" sustainability program goals and to reduce our impact on climate change:
-
Energy
-
Water
-
Waste
-
Transportation
-
Green Practices
 |
Biofuel made with waste oil from food concessions
is being used to heat some animal buildings. |
The end of 2012 marks the midway point for Plan 2018, the Zoo's long-range sustainability plan. We believe that how we operate inside our own 42-acre garden is just as important as the work we are doing around the world and we are proud of the steps we've taken towards creating a more sustainable organization.
The following project highlights provide a sense of our accomplishments to date:
Energy
Energy Reduction - Reduce overall energy consumption by 30% -
40% Complete.
Significant progress has been made to reduce the Zoo's overall energy consumption. In one year, from 2010 to 2011, we reduced electricity usage by 9% and natural gas usage by nearly 40%. Some of this reduction was due to unusually warm temperatures during the winter of 2011-12, but a series of
energy reducing measures were also implemented including, temperature set-backs in public spaces, new lighting upgrades and the replacement of 13 older refrigerators with Energy Star models.
Water
Water Reduction - Reduce overall water usage by 70% by the end of 2018 - 80% Complete.
Through April of 2012, the Zoo's annual water usage has decreased to a little over 600,000 gallons/day, thus reducing our water usage by 67% over our 2008 baseline data. We continue to see reductions in use due to the diligence of staff to conserve water in their day to day operations, the installation of water saving devices on sinks and showers, waterless urinals in some men's restrooms and through ongoing major construction projects that focus on repairing or abandoning old underground water lines that have been the source of significant water loss over the years.
Waste
Recycling - Increase recycling by 500% (or 5xs) over 2008 total -
60% Complete.
At the beginning of 2008, we were collecting approximately 1.5 tons of recyclable material per month. Since that time the recycling industry as a whole has improved dramatically, to the point that almost all plastics can now be recycled (in 2008, only #1 and #2 plastics were collected for recycling). In addition, many other programs for
recycling cell phones and other electronics, CDs, corks, bottle caps, batteries and hazardous materials have been implemented. By the beginning of 2012, we were recycling an average of 4.5 tons per month, which is an increase of 300% of 3xs.
Transportation
Commuting - Increase staff/volunteer carpooling, public transit and bicycle commuting to 25% -
20% Complete.
A seasonal shuttle program has been implemented to allow easy access to/from the Zoo and Downtown Philadelphia for both staff and visitors. In addition, the installation of new bicycle racks have provided a safe and convenient way for staff to secure their bicycles during the workday, which has increased ridership.
Green Practices
Local Produce - Work with local farms to create a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program -
100% Complete.
The Zoo created a CSA program for full time staff in 2012. 30 shares are available to be used in dividing up 12 boxes of locally grown produce every other week during the growing season (May through October). CSAs not only provide staff with a
sustainable healthy food source, they also support local farms and farmers. Plans are underway to expand the program which will allow volunteers and part-time staff to participate.