Greenprint: Our Guide to Environmental Healing
A journey toward lessening our environmental impact
The Detroit Zoological Society has developed a unique, green roadmap called the Greenprint. This evolving plan guides our operations and is the plan by which we refine and improve our facilities and daily practices, develop new policies and programs and improve green literacy and action in our community.
Learn More (PDF)
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Community Engagement + Outreach
Electronic Recycling Events
Recycling electronic waste (eWaste) helps to reduce disturbances to habitats threatened by mining or other intrusive removal practices and supports diverting the needless disposal of precious metals from landfills. EWaste generated by DZS is recycled throughout the year. You can too! Here are some opportunities to get you started:
- Gorillas on the Line Campaign (February 1 – April 30)
- DZS Electronics Recycling Collection Event
- County Resources
- Community Resources
- Direct to the Electronic Manufacturer (year-round)
Holiday Light Recycling
The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) offers free holiday light recycling during Wild Lights. Guests are encouraged to bring in broken holiday lights and the DZS will properly recycle them. Collection occurs December 1st through the month of January. Drop off lights inside the Main Gates at the Guest Services office.
GreenFest
In observance of the global holiday celebrating our planet, Earth Day, the DZS hosts our annual GreenFest celebration at the Detroit Zoo. GreenFest provides education on sustainability and what people can do at home to join us on our Green Journey.
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Industry Leadership
Greenprint
The Detroit Zoological Society has developed a unique, green roadmap called the Greenprint. This comprehensive strategic plan guides our operations and is the plan by which we refine and improve our facilities and daily practices, develop new policies and programs and improve green literacy in our community. Follow our Greenprint Pinterest Board for green tips and ideas.
Water Bottle Phase-Out Program
We have successfully weaned Detroit Zoo visitors off the bottle! In August 2013, the Detroit Zoological Society launched a three-year initiative to discontinue the sale of bottled water as part of our green journey. Inexpensive reusable bottles are sold at concession stands, which can be refilled for free at one of 21 filtered-water stations throughout the grounds.
Anaerobic Digester
We have built an anaerobic digester, which diverts over 500 tons of animal manure, bedding and food waste from the landfill and converts it into compost. We use this compost material on our gardens throughout Detroit Zoo’s 125-acre facility. The methane byproduct can be used as an alternative energy source for the Ruth Roby Glancy Animal Health Complex.
Green Certified Restaurant
Both Buddy’s Pizza and Table 28 have been verified by the Green Restaurant Association as 3 Star Certified Green Restaurants. This prestigious award reflects a dedication and commitment to sustainable practices by the Detroit Zoological Society and its food and retail provider, SSA Group.
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Energy Management
Solar Energy
The smartflower, an all-in-one ground-mounted solar-panel system, is blooming in the garden just east of the wildlife Carousel at the Detroit Zoo and is estimated to generate more than 4,000 kilowatts of electricity annually. Based on the concept of how a sunflower follows the sun, the 16-by-16-foot system features 12 solar “petals” that trail the sun across the sky throughout the day via a GPS-based dual-axis tracker.
Energy Efficiency Upgrades
In 2012, we completed a $2 million energy efficiency project for upgrades including lighting, mechanical, controls and water conservation. This project promises to save the Zoo nearly $275,000 in annual utility costs with a payback of 6.5 years and a savings of more than 1,500 tons of carbon dioxide. The energy efficiency upgrades span more than 50 Detroit Zoo buildings and include installation of additional utility meters and low-flow toilets as well as rooftop unit upgrades and boiler control upgrades. We continue to find ways to make our operations more efficient and lessen our use of fossil fuels.
Lighting Upgrades
As part of our energy efficiency improvement project, the Zoo continues to install lighting upgrades throughout our grounds. LED lights in the Great Apes of Harambee indoor habitat simulate sunrise and sunset to improve animal comfort, and LED lights are also used at the parking structure, Picnic Grove Restrooms and Events Pavilion. In addition, more than five million LED lights illuminate the Zoo for our Wild Lights event.
Solar Powered Carts
During our peak season, 38 solar/electric vehicles are used by staff to carry equipment, tools and the occasional guest throughout the Zoo. The panels on top of these vehicles collect solar energy and provide supplemental power. However, we have reduced golf cart usage by 25% using bicycles and walking; more than 60 bicycles are in use by our staff.
Electric Powered Lawn Equipment
The conversion to electric mowers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers at the Zoo is both an environmental and an animal-friendly choice since the equipment does not emit exhaust or other pollutants. This helps us to further reduce our carbon footprint.
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Stormwater Management
Green Roofs
The Detroit Zoo has incorporated innovative sustainable infrastructure in the form of green roofs. A green roof provides a rainwater buffer, purifies the air, reduces the ambient temperature, regulates the indoor temperature, saves energy and encourages biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife.
Rain Garden
This rain garden is located at the Ford Education Center and behind Buddy’s Pizza. The vegetation absorbs the rainwater from an underground pipe that transports the water to these plants. A rain garden helps keep clean, fresh rainwater out of the sewer system and reduces pollution.
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Waste & Materials Management
2022 Recycling Infrastructure Grant
$705,029 was awarded to DZS from EGLE as part of a $881,286 project to advance the DZS goals to improve diversion from the landfill and reduce contamination of recycling. The project has 3 Focus Areas: 1- Planning/design/construction of a building to manage back-of-house recycling, 2- Equipment and vehicles, and 3- Pilot programs to evaluate containers at the point-of-disposal.
Water Bottle Phase-Out Program
During your next trip to the Zoo, bring your own bottle or purchase an inexpensive one from any of our concession stands and fill up at one of our 21 free filtered-water stations. We are keeping 60,000 plastic bottles out of the waste stream annually by no longer selling plastic single-use water bottles.
Trash and Recycling Containers
We have acquired and placed more than 140 recycling and trash containers throughout the Zoo. The circular openings on the recycling container allow for better sorting of recyclable materials. Waste and recycling containers are also paired, so that guests will always have the option to recycle, rather than put their items in a landfill.
Boardwalk Recycled Materials
The boardwalk at the Cotton Family Wetlands is constructed with a material made of 50% plastic bags, 45% recycled hardwood and 5% polymers. Products like these keep materials out of landfills and turn them into a valuable building material.
Electronic Waste Recycling
Recycling electronic waste (eWaste) helps to reduce disturbances to habitats threatened by mining or other intrusive removal practices and supports diverting the needless disposal of precious metals from landfills. EWaste generated by DZS is recycled throughout the year. You can too! Here are some opportunities to get you started:
- Gorillas on the Line Campaign (February 1 – April 30)
- DZS America Recycles Day eWaste Collection (week of November 15)
- County Resources
- Community Resources
- Direct to the Electronic Manufacturer (year-round)
Zoo Map Recycling
This container is located at the exit of the Zoo so that guest may recycle their maps. The maps are refolded by volunteers and reused whenever possible. If they cannot be reused, they are recycled with the rest of our paper products.
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Shades of Green
Shades of Green Guide (PDF)
There are many shades of green and many ways each and every one of us can do something to help the environment. How many shades of green are you? Use this guide to help lighten your impact on the Earth and the animals that share it with us.