Green Practices at the Zoo
The National Zoo has a long history of and strong commitment to the conservation of animals and their habitats throughout the world, and to conservation practices at the Zoo. We recognize that, as an institution with many animals, visitors, employees, and volunteers, our environmental footprint is significant. Our Green Team is committed to leading the integration of sustainable practices at the Zoo. Many projects have been completed that reduce ecological impact and increase awareness of the environmental issues, and many others are planned or are already underway.
Energy
A variety of sustainable design strategies were implemented in the design and construction of Asia Trail, a series of exhibits that opened in late 2006. Asia Trail's energy-efficient measures include solar hot water systems,
designs of indoor facilities to maximize daylight (skylights, clerestory windows, shelves that reflect light),
Energy Star appliances, and natural insulation. 
more
To reduce energy use in offices, we have removed a number of overhead lights, replaced incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, and turn off lights when not in use. Some light switches have been replaced by motion-detector sensors to ensure lights are switched off when a room is empty.
Electric carts have replaced some gas-powered vehicles to help staff get around our 163-acre Zoo.
The horticulture staff use only fuel-efficient backpack blowers and trimmers, which are rated as having the lowest emissions in their class by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The facilities staff will conduct energy audits of all buildings at the Zoo. A new system is being set up that would make energy-consumption data available to staff and visitors in an interactive and understandable way.
New renewable energy sources are being pursued through renewable energy credits with our electricity supplier, and geothermal heating will be used in our ambitious Elephant Trails exhibit.
Water
After taking a variety of water conservation measures, the Zoo received an award in 2005 from the Federal Energy Management Program. We saved 31.8 million gallons of water by installing new water meters, water-level controls at animal exhibit pools, rain sensors for automatic irrigation systems, and water-pressure regulators, and repairing numerous leaks.
Asia Trail's three green roofs reduce stormwater runoff. more
Horticulture staff are reducing how much water is used for irrigation.
After monitoring water consumption in our utilities bills, we found and repaired a leak in an aquatic exhibit, saving 110,000 gallons a day.
A new real-time resource-monitoring system has been installed to allow Zoo staff to remotely measure water use from all buildings simultaneously and respond promptly to any leaks.
Waste
The Zoo installed nearly 200 blue metal containers to collect cans and bottles and increased recycling material in one season from one-quarter ton to two and a half tons.
We compost the majority of our food scraps, plant material, and animal waste.
The Visitor Center serves as community recycling drop-off location for printer cartridges, batteries, cell phones, and other small electronics. more
We have eliminated Styrofoam plates and containers, and most paper products used in our restaurants have 80-100% post-consumer recycled content.
We are reducing the use of bags in our stores in the hopes that we can eventually eliminate bag distribution throughout the zoo. Currently we provide bags from recyclable plastic and recyclable non-woven shopping bags.
Habitat
The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center established criteria for Bird Friendly® certification based on years of scientific research. more
Asia Trail's three green roofs provide additional insulation and create habitat for local birds, butterflies, and other fauna. more
The Zoo's Integrated Pest Management system uses environmentally safe practices to control pests and minimizes the use of pesticides.
Horticulture staff use native, non-invasive plants and plants with low water requirements whenever possible.
Whenever a tree is removed, it is replaced by one or more trees.
We do not use palm oil in our restaurants. The development of palm oil plantations in Southeast Asia's rainforests is a major threat to wildlife such as orangutans and their habitats.
We planted 1,000 native sapling trees on Earth Day.
Visitors and staff can recycle their cell phones and accessories at the Zoo, which helps protect African wildlife and the environment.
Community Education
Every year, we host an Earth Day event. Recent events include planting more than 1,000 native saplings and removing trash from Rock Creek, which flows through Zoo grounds.
Zoo staff get monthly green tips on sustainable practices for daily life and the work environment.
Sustainable Purchasing and Design
Many of our paper products, including plates, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper, and copier paper, are made with recycled content.
We have reduced the use of cleaning products with harmful chemicals by using products at food concessions that are certified green.
We use soy-based inks instead of petroleum-based inks for many printed materials.
We provide corn-based plastic utensils at concessions.
Keepers reuse many items, including paper towel tubes, milk crates, garden hoses, and scrap wood, as enrichment for our animals instead of throwing these items away.
Asia Trail features many sustainable materials, including railings and decorations made from bamboo, which is rapidly renewable; paths paved with tree resin-based aggregate paving instead of petroleum-based asphalt; wood decking made with ipe, which was certified as being harvested sustainably by the Forest Stewardship Council; recycled rubber mats; and more.
Elephant Trails is being designed to qualify for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification. more
Check out our Green Team Tips to help you make environmentally friendly decisions.
