The Great Big Green Week is taking place from the 7th -15th June 2025 and is the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Here at Colchester Zoological Society, we have a range of different policies in place to help lower our carbon footprint and help to protect wildlife and wild places. Our ultimate aim is to reduce our waste produced and recycle whatever products we can, as well as continuing to reduce our ultimate landfill contribution.
Energy Efficient
A number of biomass boilers have been installed at various points around the Zoo, used to heat animal habitats, buildings and offices. Run on pellets made from compressed sawdust shavings, this energy source has a much lower carbon footprint, making it much more eco-friendly than burning fossil fuels. As well as this, solar panelling has also been installed to heat and light a number of our animal habitats!
Water Conservation
In order to conserve water, we collect rainwater through water butts and roofs and also use natural water filtration systems through reed bed systems where possible. We also use grey water!
Waste Reduction
Waste produced via our visitors is now burnt at high temperatures to reduce its volume and to create heat energy which is converted into electrical power. If this waste instead went to landfill, the amount of methane generated via decomposition of the biodegradable part of the waste would have a higher global warming potential than the carbon dioxide produced by waste to energy technologies.
Responsible Packaging
We have now introduced paper straws as well as Birchwood cutlery in all our Catering outlets. We have also introduced Wooden ice cream spoons. As well as this, every product we sell across our catering and retail outlets are either palm oil free or RSPO.
Single-use Plastic Reduction
Here at the Zoo, we have signed a pledge to reduce the levels of plastic being used on our premises, this includes working with members of the public to increase awareness of the situation surrounding the level of plastic in our environment and contribute to positive behaviour change to reduce levels of plastic.
Palm Oil Statement
Each and every one of our suppliers has proven documentation to confirm the absence of palm oil or the presence of sustainable palm oil (a way of safeguarding biodiversity and benefits the people in the community) if the use is unavoidable. As well as supporting RSPO certified sustainable palm oil ourselves, we also find importance in the education of staff and visitors on the use of sustainable palm oil through our talks and activities within the Zoo.
