Sustainability efforts profit Final Mile shoppers, ODRC, and the Planet
CINCINNATI, OH (October 24, 2023) – Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Backyard, aka The Greenest Zoo in America®, is shifting nearer to its objective to be Internet Zero Waste by 2025. A cross-departmental workforce, together with companions from the neighborhood, got down to make the Zoo’s large 2023 fundraising occasions zero waste and was in a position to divert 2 ½ tons of waste away from the landfill together with 3 tons of recyclable supplies.
“Along with managing the trash generated at these occasions, we had been in a position to donate the surplus meals to our companions at The Final Mile Meals Rescue,” stated Ben Liles, Cincinnati Zoo’s supervisor of park companies. “We now have donated virtually 3,000 lbs of meals that they’ve been in a position to flip into meals to supply on to individuals in want in our neighborhood.”
A workforce from Final Mile was on website throughout Zoo La La, Wild About Wine, Zoofari, & Zoo Brew to facilitate meals rescue and supplied 2,434 meals with what they took away. “We’re bringing a provide chain and logistics mindset to the issues of meals waste and meals insecurity. The 2 issues will be solved, and we are able to finish meals insecurity in higher Cincinnati utilizing our ‘Uber’ mannequin,” stated Final Mile CEO, Eileen Budo.
“Solely 100 lbs of waste of the ten,660 lbs left after these occasions, went into the landfill,” stated Liles. “These numbers together with the meals that we had been in a position to donate represents a greater than 99% diversion for our zero waste occasions. We think about {that a} large success.”
Figuring out that an occasion has achieved the zero waste objective occurs after materials is faraway from the Zoo’s property. The Zoo transports the waste to an Ohio Division of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC)-run sorting facility. Sorting is a paid alternative for inmates to work exterior the partitions of the ability the place they’re at the moment incarcerated and is a a lot sought-after place. ODRC gives a breakdown of what was within the trash after sorting is full.
“Waste discount is a large a part of our Zoo’s conservation efforts, and the success of our zero waste occasions this yr have served as a proof of idea of what’s potential,” stated Liles.
Subsequent steps contain in search of ways in which the Zoo can develop its zero waste efforts into its every day operations to attain its internet zero waste objective. The Zoo’s meals and retail associate, The SSA Group (SSA), has been key to the Zoo’s zero waste successes up to now, and the 2 organizations will proceed to work on their shared sustainability initiatives.