Traveling the Green Way

It’s easy to go green at the Bronx Zoo, especially when nature calls. Their Eco-restrooms, located at the Bronxdale Gate entrance, are a great example of how to conserve resources, manage human waste sustainably, and prevent pollution through composting toilets and greywater irrigation systems.

But the eco-restrooms aren’t the only thing that’s green at the Bronx Zoo.  The Bronx Zoo-based Wildlife Conservation Society lists the following green initiatives…

• Energy-efficient buildings such as the restored Lion House (home of the Madagascar! exhibit) which is New York City’s first landmark building certified “green” by the U.S. Green Building Counsel.
• Electric and other alternative fuel vehicles plus the conversion of the Bronx Zoo Shuttle to compressed natural gas.
• The composting of animal waste produced in the Bronx Zoo which is given to a number of city agencies and nonprofits including the New York City Parks Department.
• The collection by an outside vendor of nearly 5,000 gallons of waste cooking oil at the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium and turned into soap.
• Elimination of bottled water coolers used by staff.
• A water-efficient system that saves nearly 500,000 gallons of water per year at the Bronx Zoo’s sea lion exhibit.
• The purchase of sustainable seafood for both animal and visitor consumption, which reduces the pressures on threatened wild fisheries.

(source)

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