The actions of humans are having a devastating impact on the environment. Habitat destruction, deforestation, pollution and the pressures of growing populations are causing flooding, extinction and global warming.
We squander vast amounts of energy and resources and produce huge amounts of waste. These activities cannot continue forever without having an adverse impact on our world. These problems are likely to get worse unless we act now.
What is Paignton Zoo doing for the environment?
As a conservation organisation we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. Environmental damage can directly affect the species and habitats we are trying to conserve.
We continuously strive to reduce our environmental impact and find that environmental improvements often lead to cost savings too – meaning more money is available to spend on our important conservation projects.
Click here to find out more about our environmental policy.
In 2005 Paignton Zoo was the third zoo in the world and the second in the UK to be awarded ISO 14001. This was a fantastic achievement for the organisation; since then, even greater improvements have been made to the credit of our staff.
ISO 14001
Paignton Zoo’s interest in environmental issues began in the late 1990s and has increased over time with a key moment being the decision to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) to the ISO 14001 standard for which the organisation achieved certification in 2005.
Paignton Zoo is committed to continually improving the organisation’s environmental performance through a process of pollution prevention and compliance with appropriate legislation which has enabled the organisation to identify and manage all of its environmental impacts through the use of annual audits. The main objective of EMS is to reduce or minimise adverse environmental operational effects, whilst incorporating measures to improve animal welfare and engage with and positively impact on the lives of our employees.
As part of this process we are externally audited annually to ensure that our system is in place, procedures are being adhered to and that incremental improvements are being made each year.
The Institute for Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) maintain the database of ISO 14001 certified companies and further information can be found at their website. www.iema.net
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES
RECYCLING STRATEGY
A recycling strategy is co-ordinated and managed throughout the organisation with the aim of reducing the quantity of waste being sent to landfill. At the Zoo we recycle as much as possible, sorting the waste on site before recycling takes place:
• recycling paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, glass, plastic bottles, printer cartridges, vegetable oil and light bulbs
• re-using materials such as hardcore, wood and plant pots
• composting organic waste to make Zoo Poo sold in our shop and around the country.
TRANSPORT
Transport can have an extremely large impact on our environment and Paignton Zoo continually strives to reduce this impact. Initiatives that have been undertaken at the Zoo so far have been the use of on-site electric vehicles and the purchase of some LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) vehicles for off-site use. The reduction of vehicle use by people visiting the Zoo is more difficult to influence, however for those visitors choosing to come by public transport we offer discounted admission. We provide information regarding alternatives to car use here.
BUILDING PROGRAMME
A formal environmental specification policy is being developed for new buildings and those being refurbished. This ensures that where possible environmental features, which often have cost-saving implications, are considered in the design stages. To date many environmentally-beneficial technologies have been installed, these are:
• rainwater harvesting systems at Reptile Tropics, Monkey Heights and Crocodile Swamp
• sensor lighting has been fitted to many areas and a programme to install them across the entire site has begun
• underfloor heating is present in many exhibits providing heat extremely efficiently
• a reed bed filtration system has been installed to clean waste water from Reptile Tropics
• solar water heating
• low energy lighting
• use of rain and borehole water for watering plants and washing enclosures
• toilets with waterless urinals, low-volume cisterns and automatic taps to help conserve water
• monitoring of utilities consumption through monthly meter readings
Living World gift shop and Island Restaurant
The Zoo understands the link between the items we buy and the effect their production has on people, animals and the environment. As a result, the Zoo has removed products containing palm oil from its menus because of the way production is destroying the habitat of orang-utan populations. This and other measures illustrate how an organisation’s daily operations can be altered to educate and ensure that global as well as local considerations are taken into account.
How YOU can help
It’s not just businesses that need to improve their environmental performance – it’s everyone. Small changes to the way we live can make a big difference to the environment. Here are some things you can do whilst you are visiting the Zoo:
• recycle your cans and plastic bottles by placing them in the right bins
• travel to the Zoo by public transport or bicycle
• support fair trade products in our shop and restaurant
• support our conservation initiatives
At home:
• Help to conserve energy by insulating your home, switching to energy efficient bulbs and switching off appliances when not in use. Click here for more energy saving ideas and details of grants available.
• Help conserve water by taking a shower instead of a bath, using water butts to water plants and wash your car, and by installing a water-saving device in your toilet cistern – for more tips click here.
• Reduce your waste and recycle everything you can – for more information click here.
• Stop companies from sending junk mail to your home by registering at MPS (Mail Preference Service) click here.
• Install a home energy monitor in your house, it can have an instant and dramatic effect on how much electricity you use. Wireless models are now available for under £30, and you will soon find yourself obsessively turning off lights and electrical devices. Get ready to cringe when you see how much energy a tumble dryer uses in each cycle!
• Car share, use public transport, walk or cycle to cut down on emissions.
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