SSA Group, a best-in-class provider of integrated guest services, now offers only sustainable plush at the retail gift shop in Fresno Chaffee Zoo, California.
In an industry-first, the complete collection of plush animals offered at the retail outlets is now 100% sustainable. The move supports Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s sustainability objectives and offers an opportunity to educate visitors on ways to live in a more environmentally friendly way.
Plush animals available are made using between eight and 16 recycled PET water bottles. Since the transition to all sustainable plush in 2022, the Zoo has diverted nearly 350,000 single-use water bottles from going into landfill.
Let’s change the way we shop
The move is part of SSA Group’s Let’s Change the Way We Shop campaign. The firm is committed to sustainability in its collections for zoos, aquariums, and museums. Across its operations, the firm has already saved 50 tons of single-use plastic waste through changes to both its products and packaging.
Andrew Fischer, VP of sustainability and conservation at SSA Group, says: “At SSA Group, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our new 100% sustainable plush store at Fresno Chaffee Zoo reflects our unwavering commitment to bringing more eco-friendly products to our guests. It’s a pivotal step in our broader company’s Climate Action Plan and we look forward to rolling out this program to even more SSA Group retail stores, expanding our impact.”
SSA Group was recently recognised at the 72nd annual Gifts & Decorative Accessories Retailer Excellence Awards. The firm won in the Store Design category for its remodel of the Wild Things gift shop at Maryland Zoo.
The firm also recently worked with Aurora, one of its distributors of plush toys, on a more sustainable new Mini Flopsies plush collection. The range is exclusive to SSA zoo and aquarium gift shops and includes 30 different species, such as giraffes, elephants, sea lions, and sharks.
