A GREEN ZOO
Welcome to the Emerald City
Our award-winning sustainability efforts are a testament to Seattle's national green leadership
SUSTAINABILITY
Green Team
Our Green Team works with every department across the zoo to influence and advocate for sustainability practices on zoo grounds and beyond, in collaboration with our partners.
Woodland Park Zoo is home to one of the longest standing Green Teams in the industry. Founded in 2001 with a mission to focus on water and energy conservation, our Green Team is a multi-disciplinary group of zoo employees who pursue, promote, and encourage sustainable daily practices at and beyond the zoo. We work closely with our Learning & Innovation, Interpretive and Communications staff to drive both internal and external conservation action and behavioral change.
READ ABOUT OUR SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
E-Trash Recycling
Recycling cell phones helps save Gorillas!
Woodland Park Zoo is proud to partner with ECO-CELL to recycle e-waste responsibly. In 2018, we collected and recycled 270lbs of electronics donated by visitors like you!
Recycling electronics helps reduce the demand for Coltan – an ore used to extend battery life in phones and other handheld devices. Coltan mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo destroy habitat critical to endangered species, including the western lowland gorilla.
Bring your used handheld electronics to drop-boxes located at both zoo entrances. We accept: cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, adapters, chargers, and the accessories that come with them.
If you have any questions, please contact ecocell@zoo.org
ECO-CELL FAQ
Sustainability Stories
Are we the greenest of them all? Sorting waste in search of sustainability!
Feasting Green From Farm to Paw
Exhibits Team Making Green Wishes Come True
Zoo Doo Becomes Serious Stuff
What’s Your Green Zoo IQ?
Woodland Park Zoo Goes Plastic Bottle Free
Sustainability Spotlight
Turning Apples Into Carrots
RadBurros at Woodland Park Zoo
SUSTAINABLE ZOO PLAN
As the region’s premier zoo and aligned with Seattle’s Climate Action Plan goals, we aspire to become our community’s living showcase of sustainability. Our Sustainable Zoo Plan provides a roadmap for preserving and enhancing natural resources that sustain wildlife and the human economy. Our progress is thanks to our public partners, King County voters and the Seattle Park District investment, passionate staff, and committed volunteers and guests.
View the Sustainable Zoo Plan
Awards & Recognition
Community Impact Awards
2018 Silver Award for Sustainability in Business Operations
Envirostars
Founding initiative member & 2017 renewed EnviroStars Champion certification under expanded program
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
2011 Green Significant Achievement Award
Seattle Business Magazine
2009 Green Washington Award Non Profit Special Mention
Zoomazium Building
U.S. Green Building Council, Gold Certification, LEED® 2007
West Entry
U.S. Green Building Council, Gold Certification, LEED® 2011