Sustainability — The Green Zoo
A key component of the Indianapolis Zoo's conservation
mission is to promote sustainability. The Zoo attacks this
mission on multiple fronts, including initiating and maintaining
green practices at the Zoo and encouraging others to adopt a
"greener" way of life. Listed are some of the programs at
the Zoo that help sustain a healthy environment here in Indiana.
 Electric
Car Recharging Stations
There are now two stations in the Zoo's main parking
lot where you can re-charge your electric cars. Located
near the front of the east end of the parking lot by the picnic
area, the two recharging stations are available for a nominal
charge for either four or eight hours. Just ask the guest
services representative at the front gate to get you hooked up
and ready while you have a leisurely visit with the animals at
the Zoo.
Energy
Conservation/Lugar Energy Patriot
 In 2011, the Indianapolis Zoo was named a “Lugar Energy
Patriot,” an honor bestowed on organizations by Senator Richard
Lugar in recognition of ongoing support for fiscally responsible
energy conservation efforts. Over the past few years through
careful planning and research the Zoo’s energy team has taken
concrete action steps resulting in savings of hundreds of
thousands of dollars. Projects such as the realignment of the
dolphin pavilion water management system (saving 4.5 million
gallons of water annually), development of an energy metering
program for the Zoo site, and becoming the first zoo in the
country to purchase all of our electric power from 100% green
sources were cited by Senator Lugar as demonstrative of
“outstanding Hoosiers who have demonstrated leadership and
initiative in taking concrete action to improve America’s energy
security.”
 Electronics
Recycling
Electronics waste is a growing challenge with over 2.5
million tons of electronic waste incinerated or placed into
landfills in the U.S. in 2009. Many of these electronic devices
contain mercury and lead which could leech into the ground
contaminating soil and water supplies. The Zoo takes a
leadership role in this challenge by hosting two electronics
recycling events each year where we typically recycle 15-20 tons
of electronics each day. In December 2011, we partnered with the
Indianapolis Super Bowl Host Committee’s 1st and Green program
to host a third electronics recycling event and broke our
record. With the help of our partner RecycleForce, we collected
over 23 tons in just over five hours!
Green Power Option
 Since 2008, the Indianapolis Zoo
has been a 100 percent green user of
electricity through Indianapolis Power & Light Company's
Green Power Option. Green power is an option provided to the Zoo
by IPL that helps support the development of renewable energy
sources, which eventually helps reduce our reliance on
fossil-fueled power. Some sources of green power through IPL are
wind facilities and biomass/landfill gas facilities. The Zoo
wants to help lead the conservation charge. And this is one
small way in which we can contribute. Residential customers
interested in the green power option can expect the average
increase in their power bill to be about $2-$3.50/month.
Customers can participate at one of four levels – 100%, 50%,
25%, or 10% of your monthly electrical usage. Visit
iplpower.com for more information.
 Green
Business Initiative
The Indianapolis Zoo is a member of the Greater
Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce's Green Business initiative. The Zoo scores very high among local businesses in its
programming and commitment to environmentally safe and
sustainable practices and operations. Many different items are
considered to achieve this designation, including reduction of
paper usage, recycling, using eco-friendly products, reducing
lighting, unplugging unused appliances, rain recovery systems,
water recovery systems in our water facilities, and many more.
What's Old is New at the Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo internally recycles all its recyclable
paper, corrugated cardboard, aluminum, newspaper and mulch
thanks to our official recycling partner Ray's Trash. We use
landscape and tree trimmings as enrichment for some of our
animals. The Indianapolis Zoo also has a herbivore manure
recycling program. Partnering with Ray’s Trash Service, our
manure is taken to a special facility located in Indianapolis.
There the manure is composted and turned into
fertilizer — completing the natural cycle.
● We would like our guests to join us and Indiana Farm Bureau
Insurance in improving our environment by recycling their Zoo maps
when possible. As you exit the Zoo, please deposit your map in
the glass box supported by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. Thank
you!
● We encourage you to participate in our electronics recycling
events. The Zoo typically hosts these events twice a year
- once in the spring and once in the fall. In late 2011,
however, we hosted a special Super Bowl 1st & Green event after
Christmas and collected 23 tons of recyclable electronics in
five hours! Look for information on these events in the
Special
Events section.
● Did you get a new cell phone and you’re not sure what to do with
your old one? The Indianapolis AAZK (American Association of Zoo
Keepers) Chapter recycles cell phones through Eco-cell. All of
the money raised goes to wildlife conservation and research. You
may ask yourself why should you recycle your cell phone? Well,
that’s easy! Cell phones contain toxic substances that include
lead, copper, and zinc that are harmful to the environment. So,
next time you are at the Zoo, please drop your cell phones off
at the admissions booth. For more information about Eco-cell,
please visit
www.eco-cell.org. For more information
about AAZK and our partnering with Eco-cell, please contact
Tammy Root at (317) 630-2072 or at
troot@indyzoo.com.
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