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

Fall Sale!


Last sale of the year will be held September 9-10 and October 7-8, 2023

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.

 


September Zoo Doo Sale


Order now to pick up September 9 & 10, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.


Gallons   TRUCKLOADS


October Zoo Doo Sale


Order now to pick up October 7 & 8, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.


Gallons   TRUCKLOADS

 

How Zoo Doo Pickups Work

All Zoo Doo pickups at Fecal Fest are shoveled by hand into containers and vehicles of your choice. For example, if you are buying 25 gallons, you could bring 5, 5-gallon buckets to fill. Container choice is entirely up to you!

  • We do not have the space to accommodate trailers of any kind at Fecal Fest.
  • If you are getting a truckload, please be prepared to fill your truck bed by hand. We do not have a loader available to assist.
  • We are a rain or shine event. Refunds will not be given in case of poor weather conditions.
  • Directions to the Zoo Doo yard will be provided via email after you register for a pickup slot using the links above.

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

 

Our Mission

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

Land Acknowledgment

Woodland Park Zoo recognizes that these are the lands of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott. We acknowledge their stewardship of this place continues to this day and that it is our responsibility to join them to restore the relationship with the living world around us.

Humane Certification
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Association of Zoos & Aquariums


5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103   |  206.548.2500  |   zooinfo@zoo.org