pr_12_27_06.htm

SEATTLE – Who would’ve thought that corn could be made into eating utensils and food containers? It sure can, and these corn-based products—as well as socially conscious concessions, paper reduction, and recycling—are among the list of green resolutions for Woodland Park Zoo and its professional services partner, ARAMARK.

“Conservation and education are at the core of our mission,” said zoo President and CEO Dr. Deborah Jensen. “If we want people to make a positive difference in our environment, then we have to set an example. We hope businesses and people will follow our example and aspire toward “greening” their own operations and residences.”

The Zoo’s 2007 Green Resolutions:

Use corn-based plastic for all food and beverage containers and eating utensils at the zoo’s year-round restaurant and seasonal cafes. Corn plastic is 100% biodegradable and compostable. These products are made from a renewable resource, unlike regular plastic made from petroleum.
Continue moving toward sustainable cuisine: exclusively serving grass-fed beef and shade-grown coffee and espresso at concessions and catered events. Grass-fed animals feed on sustainable, thriving grasslands, free from added hormones and confinement. Among the health benefits are lower total fat and saturated fat content. Shade-grown coffee can improve livelihoods for farm families. Coffee grown on small farms under a canopy of shade trees provides habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Establish a program to recycle 100% of the waste, including leftover food, from the zoo’s community events and catered picnics and parties.
Institute a paper reduction program that reduces the use of paper by 10%.
Conduct two backyard habitat workshops that demonstrate sustainable home gardening, reduced pesticide use, water conservation and wildlife-friendly gardening methods.
Reduce the usage of water by 575,969 gallons, including waterless urinals and animal exhibit pools.
Increase recycling by staff and visitors by 15%.
Increase the amount of “clean green” recycled on zoo grounds. Currently 1 million pounds of animal manure are composted for public consumption to enhance the health of plants and soil and save $60,000 per year in disposal costs.
The Rose Garden is the only place in the zoo where fungicides are used as a normal part of our Integrated Pest Management program. Decrease fungicide use in the Rose Garden by 60% using greener alternatives.
Replace a gas powered vehicle with an alternative fuel vehicle.

Staff in every department participates in accomplishing these Green Resolutions, which were compiled by the zoo’s Green Team. The team meets twice each month throughout the year to explore new ways of taking the zoo’s green operations to a higher level.

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Through its Sports and Entertainment Group, ARAMARK provides a wide range of professional services, including food, facility and other support services. The company serves more than 300 premier sports, entertainment, recreational and educational facilities, including sports stadiums and arenas, convention centers, concert venues, museums, zoos, national and state parks, resorts and tourist destinations, conference centers, corporate training centers and specialty hotels. ARAMARK offers a single source provider for concessions, event planning, premium dining needs and catering, on-site restaurants, retail merchandise sales, facility management, and recreational and lodging services. For more information about ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment, please visit www.aramarkentertainment.com.

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