Emissions reductions
This work forms part of a wider sustainability strategy that is currently under development, which will outline further sustainability-related developments and celebrate successes for Jersey Zoo.
Carbon Reduction measures - Did you know what we’re doing already?
In order to play our part in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, we are working to reduce the environmental impacts of our operations, by reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. At Jersey Zoo, we #InvestInOurPlanet by using more sustainable practices in everyday operations.
We already have a number of great initiatives in place, including:
- We have installed 242 solar PV panels on the roof of our Charity Shop, powering multiple site buildings, installed by Sunworks. 80 panels power the Durrell charity shop and 162 power the Durrell Training Academy and Hostel.
- Our bat tunnel is reaping the warm rewards since we’ve installed an air source heat pump into the enclosure. These low-carbon pumps convert air into hot water as a source of heating to keep our animals warm. The enclosure is also supported by a 'Priva' environmental monitoring system, that maintains the temperature and humidity.
- Expanding our fleet of electric vehicles and on-site electric buggys of our keepers
- EV charging facilities in our public carpark
- Rewild Carbon tree planting in Brazil
- Cans for Corridors recycles aluminium, reducing the demand for virgin aluminium, and plants trees in Brazil
- We measure our scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions (as far as business air travel and water go) and offset with an additional 25% to ensure a robust offset of our impact.
Recycling
We compost and reuse all of our green waste on-site. We have invested in a state of the art green waste shredder to assist with our composting, that is used on our organic farm to grow food for our animals, reducing food miles, and used in our plant beds around the zoo.
At Durrell, we aim to minimise waste as much as possible. Even the poo from our animals at Jersey Zoo is reused! Animal droppings are collected and put into a compost machine alongside plant material, where it’s broken up and processed. This compost is taken to the on-site organic farm and used in the soil, where we grow food for our animals.
Our farm is a pioneer of sustainable practices for growing food, using “no-dig” methods that are less damaging to the environment and provides our unique animals with food year-round! In 2022, the farm grew a remarkable 3,000kgs of crops including fresh fruit and vegetables.
Our Cans for Corridors project has sustainability at it’s core, by encouraging local can recycling in Jersey to fund tree cultivation and forest restoration, planting tree corridors in Brazil, whilst supporting livelihoods.
The Durrell Charity Shop – ‘Reuse, Recycle, Rewild’ offers Islanders a place to donate unwanted items to be resold and reused, keeping them in circulation, placing sustainability at its core, whilst raising vital funds for Durrell’s conservation work. Appropriate waste management is essential for processing unsaleable donations. A dedicated waste management area includes recycling for paper, cardboard, ceramics (rubble), glass, metal, batteries, textiles, shoes and belts and unrecyclable items go to energy recovery.
Zoo buildings and enclosures
Many of our buildings and animal enclosures were built in a way to reduce their ongoing waste in terms of energy, minimising their environmental impacts and running costs. Here are some of the ingenious ideas that have been put into practice to make our buildings and animal enclosures eco-friendly.
Durrell Charity Shop was built as a low energy demand building. It is powered by 262 solar PV panels on its roof, that also support multiple buildings at Jersey Zoo, including the Durrell Conservation Academy and Hostel.
Island Bat Roost, our bat enclosure, was built using donated items to reuse, such as car tyres that were filled with earth. The enclosure is supported by an environmental management system, which regulates the temperature and humidity. This is supported by an air source heat pump to create the perfect environment for our bats to thrive in.
We are starting to build our new gorilla enclosure, which will incorporate sustainable building measures where possible.
Tackling plastic
At Jersey Zoo, we are determined to #BeatPlasticPollution. Take a look at some of our recent steps towards reducing our plastic use!
We have removed all plastic single-use bottles from our cafes, replacing them with aluminium cans that are 100% recyclable. The aluminium can be donated to our Cans for Corridors project to help plant trees in Brazil.
We use a range of VegWare for café takeaways. These cups and containers are made from vegetables, are 100% compostable and plastic-free!
We have worked with our gift shop suppliers to reduce the plastic packaging on our stock.
Our membership cards are 100% biodegradable.
Our Wild Life magazine is printed on FSC-certified paper, coming from responsible sources, and is fully recyclable. The postage wrap is completely compostable.
Jersey Zoo is a Plastic Free Jersey Business.
Sustainable Travel to Jersey Zoo
There are multiple green ways to get to Jersey Zoo!
The zoo is on three bus routes from Liberation Station in St Helier; the number 3, 13, and 23. Alternatively, put the pedal to the metal and cycle your way to the zoo! We have sheltered bike racks in our front car park.
If travelling by EV, top up for the journey home with our on-site EV charging station.
Greener travel is key to reducing our carbon emissions. Together, we can create a healthier, wilder, more colourful world.
Water
Water is a precious resource here in Jersey, relying purely on rain as the Island’s fresh water source.
We have rainwater harvesting tanks to make use of grey water to flush our toilets in the Firefly Café and outdoor toilet block by our South American House.
We need to use water sparingly and so have installed water metres to monitor our borehole water consumption.