Zoo & Aquarium Sustainable Practices

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AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums serve as conservation experts who are not only involved in assuring animal, habitat, and ecosystem survival, but also strive to conserve the natural resources utilized in their business operations.  Sustainable practices are implemented to reduce water and energy usage, decrease waste generation as well as increase green purchasing protocols and renewable energy generation.  The AZA Climate Initiative encourages zoos and aquariums to find ways to "walk the sustainable practices talk" as well as help their visitors understand the impact of climate change on wildlife.  AZA has developed several mechanisms, such as the AZA Green Guide, Green Tool Box, Green Award, and Affiliative Purchasing Partnerships to help AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums accomplish these practices.

Zoos & Aquariums Working Collaboratively

Numerous AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are striving to find effective ways to help visitors understand how climate change is impacting wildlife and wild habitats globally, locally, and even in their own backyards as well as empower these visitors to make informed choices and personally engage in sustainable practices.  Funding to explore many these informal science education programs has been obtained through prestigious agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.  Read more about how zoos and aquariums are working collaboratively.

Zoo and Aquarium Green Guide

The AZA Green Scientific Advisory Group has published a Zoo and Aquarium Green Guide which offers a collection of categorical suggestions, provided by the AZA Green Scientific Advisory Group, which zoos and aquariums consider when initiating or expanding a sustainability program. The Zoo and Aquarium Green Guide is a dynamic document and should be considered a work in progress. Details on how the suggestions can reduce business expenditures and standardized metrics to assess zoo and aquarium impacts will be incorporated into future editions. 

Green Practices Tool Box

A Green Practices Toolbox was created to provide a wide-range of sustainable practices resources.  Content includes links to related publications and pocket guides for greener living, green practices utilized by many AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, and mechanisms to communicate with others about green practices.  Visit the Green Practices Tool Box. 

AZA Green Award

Although AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are expected to implement sutainable business practices, the AZA Green Award recognizes institution-wide programs that implement outstanding and/or innovative methods to reduce their business operation's environmental impact. Read more about how to apply for the Green Award.

Affinity Purchasing Partners

The AZA Enterprise Committee strives to create cooperative purchasing agreements with companies that provide our member institutions opportunities to purchase discounted green products and services. Diversey Green Products allows AZA-accredited zoo and aquariums, Certified-Related Facilities, Conservation Partners, and Commercial Members to take advantage of deep discounts on green cleaning and sanitization supplies while the Staples Business Advantage lets them take advantage of purchasing green office supplies. These Affinity purchasing programs not only make business sense, but they also greatly increase natural resource conservation!  Learn more about AZA Affinity Purchasing Partners.

Staples Business Advantage Environmental Report on AZA's green purchasing impacts (1/11 - 6/30).