ZSL

Diverting zoo waste from landfill

Reconomy Connect, a Reconomy specialist brand, partnered with ZSL on a six-year contract to manage 22 different waste streams across ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, including hundreds of tonnes of herbivore “zoo poo” every year.

By installing recycling infrastructure across both sites and tackling specialist waste streams with state-of-the-art technology, Reconomy Connect is helping ZSL work towards its mission of diverting at least 95% of its waste from landfill.

• Problem: With 22 different waste streams, including hundreds of tonnes of herbivore “zoo poo” produced each year, ZSL needed a waste management partner with strong green credentials and an innovative approach to help divert at least 95% of its waste from landfill.
• Solution: Reconomy Connect teamed up with ZSL on a six-year contract, installing bins and recycling points across both sites and introducing collection, compaction, and diversion for waste including glass, dry mixed recycling, food, plastic, and cardboard.
• Result: A coordinated, one-stop-shop solution supporting ZSL’s mission to divert at least 95% of its waste from landfill, with specialist “zoo poo” turned into natural fertiliser for local farmers.

Key facts

• Over 520 tonnes: herbivores, including giraffes, bongos, and camels, at ZSL London Zoo alone produce over 520 tonnes of “zoo poo” every year.
• 22 different waste streams: ZSL manages 22 different waste streams across its two zoos, including hundreds of tonnes of herbivore “zoo poo”.
• At least 95% diverted from landfill: Reconomy Connect is helping ZSL achieve its mission to divert at least 95% of its waste from landfill.

The problem

With 22 different waste streams, including hundreds of tonnes of herbivore “zoo poo” produced at ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo each year, ZSL needed a waste management company with the strongest green credentials and an innovative approach to waste, to help achieve its mission of diverting at least 95% of its waste from landfill.

The solution

Reconomy Connect teamed up with ZSL on a six-year contract, setting goals to reduce waste to landfill with immediate effect. High visitor numbers, combined with a 364-day-a-year operation across both ZSL sites, mean enormous amounts of waste are produced every day.

Bins and recycling points were installed all around the sites, encouraging staff and visitors to recycle more, with the Day Planner including details of where the nearest bin is located. Waste such as glass, dry mixed recycling, food, plastic, and cardboard is now collected, compacted, and diverted from landfill.

Herbivores, including giraffes, bongos, and camels, at ZSL London Zoo alone produce over 520 tonnes of “zoo poo” every year. Reconomy Connect is tackling this particular waste stream with the installation of state-of-the-art compactors that store the waste before it is taken away and turned into a natural fertiliser, which is then passed on to local farmers.