ZOO DOO COMPOST
The most "poopular" compost in the Pacific Northwest
GET The Scoop
Learn About Our Zoo Doo Program
Woodland Park Zoo's Zoo Doo is the most exotic compost available in the Pacific Northwest. Zoo Doo is a fully composted blend of select animal manures mixed with bedding materials such as straw and wood chips from around the grounds of the zoo. As a conservation organization, Woodland Park Zoo is committed to being a steward of the environment and turning animal waste into a valuable resource is just one example of our sustainability efforts.
Read more about sustainability at the zoo
Whose Poop?
All the herbivores (plant-eating animals) are happy to doo their part. Rhinos, giraffe, hippos, mountain goats, zebras, and many more provide plenty of material to work with! Woodland Park Zoo composts approximately 500 tons of this animal waste each year—saving around $125,000 per year in disposal costs.
Rhino
Giraffe
Hippopotamus
Zebra
Purchase Zoo Doo
Available Amounts
March and April On Sale Now!
This year, look for changes that have been made to improve access to Zoo Doo and get it in your gardens sooner! There will no longer be a Fecal Fest lottery, instead, please use the links below to book your pickup, pay with a credit card and receive directions to the zoo for pickup.
Cancellations or changes must be made at least a week before your scheduled pick-up to receive a refund.
March Zoo Doo Sale
Order now to pick up March 18 & 19, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Gallons TRUCKLOADS
April Zoo Doo Sale
Order now to pick up April 8 & 9, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Gallons TRUCKLOADS
April Zoo Doo Sale
Order now to pick up April 29 & 30, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Gallons TRUCKLOADS
Bulk Quantities
Please note that we will only be offering the following pickup sizes:
Gallons
- 25-gallons - $15
- 50-gallons - $30
- 70-gallons - $40
- 100-gallons - $50
Truckloads
- 5’x4’ pickup trucks (300-gallons) - $80
- 6’x5’ pickup trucks (400-gallons) - $100
- 8’x5’ pickup trucks (550-gallons) - $120
Creating Compost at the Zoo
How it’s Made
The process begins when fresh manure and bedding materials are collected from animal enclosures. Next, the materials are taken to the Zoo Doo yard for composting. The active composting phase lasts 30 days and the piles maintain temperatures between 135°F and 160°F, which allows for optimal decomposition of organic materials as well as destroying weed seeds and potential pathogens.
Active composting is followed by secondary composting, or curing, which is the decomposition process slowing down as the microbes finish breaking down the materials. During this phase, temperatures in the pile decrease, and the compost matures into a dark and crumby humus. After this 30 or more day process, the material looks and smells like rich organic soil or mulch, bearing little resemblance to its original components. Now it’s ready for use in home gardens!
COMPOSTING AT HOME