Reid Park Zoo was recognized at the City of Tucson Mayor and Council meeting on Tuesday, April 21, for its efforts in “outstanding participation in composting” through the City’s Food Cycle program operated by Environmental Services in partnership with University of Arizona Compost Cats.
“At Reid Park Zoo, our commissary composts all food scraps from the plant portion of animal diets. We also have compost buckets in our lunch areas,” Nancy Kluge, Reid Park Zoo President & CEO, said. “However, our largest compost program is the Zoo Doo program where waste generated by our herbivores is placed in a special compost dumpster along with plant trimmings.”
Reid Park Zoo’s elephant herd contributes between half a ton to one ton of elephant poop per day to the City’s composting program.
The City’s recognition of the Zoo states, “Last year Reid Park Zoo demonstrated an exceptional commitment to sustainability by diverting more than 200 gallons of food waste each week while maintaining very low contamination levels. These efforts play a vital role in reducing methane emission in support of a healthy environment which sets an example for our community.”
Reid Park Zoo also serves as a community education partner with the City, providing space for FoodCycle at Home composting training for the public.
