SSA Group, a best-in-class provider of integrated guest services, has been working with partner Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden to help it achieve its goal of becoming Net Zero Waste by 2025. Together with community partners, a cross-departmental team at the zoo set out to make its major 2023 fundraising events zero waste. They were successful in diverting 3 tons of recyclable materials and 2 ½ tons of rubbish from the landfill.
“In addition to managing the trash generated at these events, we were able to donate the excess food to our partners at The Last Mile Food Rescue,” says Ben Liles, Cincinnati Zoo’s manager of park services. “We have donated almost 3,000 lbs of food that they have been able to turn into meals to provide directly to people in need in our community.”
Working towards a Net Zero Waste target
During Zoo La La, Wild About Wine, Zoofari, and Zoo Brew, a team from Last Mile was present to assist with food rescue. Using the food they removed, they were able to provide 2,434 meals.
“We are bringing a supply chain and logistics mindset to the problems of food waste and food insecurity. The two problems can be solved, and we can end food insecurity in greater Cincinnati using our ‘Uber’ model,” says Last Mile CEO, Eileen Budo.
“Only 100 lbs of waste of the 10,660 lbs left after these events, went into the landfill,” said Liles. “These numbers along with the food that we were able to donate represents a better than 99% diversion for our zero waste events. We consider that a tremendous success.”
After the material is removed from Zoo property, the achievement of the zero waste goal is determined. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) operates a sorting facility, which is where the waste is transported by the Zoo. Sorting is a highly sought-after activity that provides offenders with a compensated opportunity to work outside the gates of the facility where they are currently incarcerated. After sorting, ODRC gives a summary of what was found in the trash.
“Waste reduction is a huge part of our Zoo’s conservation efforts, and the success of our zero waste events this year have served as a proof of concept of what is possible,” adds Liles.
The next phase is to determine how the Zoo can incorporate more zero-waste practices into regular operations in order to reach its Net Zero Waste target. SSA Group (SSA), the Zoo’s food and retail partner, has been instrumental in its zero waste achievements thus far, and both businesses will keep working on their joint sustainability projects.
SSA Group recently announced that it is providing retail services for the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) in Seattle. The firm, which took over the retail operations in early November, also provides culinary services at MoPOP.
