EARLY CLOSURE
The zoo will close early at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 28, 2024, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

A GREEN ZOO

Welcome to the Emerald City

Our award-winning sustainability efforts are a testament to Seattle's national green leadership

SUSTAINABILITY

 

Green Team

Our Green Team works with every department across the zoo to influence and advocate for sustainability practices on zoo grounds and beyond, in collaboration with our partners.

Woodland Park Zoo is home to one of the longest standing Green Teams in the industry. Founded in 2001 with a mission to focus on water and energy conservation, our Green Team is a multi-disciplinary group of zoo employees who pursue, promote, and encourage sustainable daily practices at and beyond the zoo. We work closely with our Learning & Innovation, Interpretive and Communications staff to drive both internal and external conservation action and behavioral change.

 

READ ABOUT OUR SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

 

E-Trash Recycling

Recycling cell phones helps save Gorillas!


Eco-Cell collection box

Woodland Park Zoo is proud to partner with ECO-CELL to recycle e-waste responsibly. In 2018, we collected and recycled 270lbs of electronics donated by visitors like you!

Recycling electronics helps reduce the demand for Coltan – an ore used to extend battery life in phones and other handheld devices. Coltan mines in the Democratic Republic of the Congo destroy habitat critical to endangered species, including the western lowland gorilla.

Bring your used handheld electronics to drop-boxes located at both zoo entrances. We accept: cell phones, MP3 players, tablets, adapters, chargers, and the accessories that come with them.

If you have any questions, please contact ecocell@zoo.org


ECO-CELL FAQ

 

 

Bold Reuse

Returnable Cup Program


As we build a better future for wildlife and people, Woodland Park Zoo and its hospitality partner, Levy, are excited to announce a new partnership with Bold Reuse that will launch a new returnable cup program as another sustainable step closer to ending single use items at the zoo.

Learn more about Bold Reuse

 

Sustainability Stories

Are we the greenest of them all? Sorting waste in search of sustainability!
Feasting Green From Farm to Paw
Exhibits Team Making Green Wishes Come True
Zoo Doo Becomes Serious Stuff
What’s Your Green Zoo IQ?
Woodland Park Zoo Goes Plastic Bottle Free

Sustainability Spotlight

 

 

Turning Apples Into Carrots

RadBurros at Woodland Park Zoo

 

SUSTAINABLE ZOO PLAN

 

As the region’s premier zoo and aligned with Seattle’s Climate Action Plan goals, we aspire to become our community’s living showcase of sustainability. Our Sustainable Zoo Plan provides a roadmap for preserving and enhancing natural resources that sustain wildlife and the human economy. Our progress is thanks to our public partners, King County voters and the Seattle Park District investment, passionate staff, and committed volunteers and guests.

 

View the Sustainable Zoo Plan

Awards & Recognition

 

Community Impact Awards

2018 Silver Award for Sustainability in Business Operations

Envirostars

Founding initiative member & 2017 renewed EnviroStars Champion certification under expanded program

Association of Zoos and Aquariums

2011 Green Significant Achievement Award

Seattle Business Magazine

2009 Green Washington Award Non Profit Special Mention

Zoomazium Building

U.S. Green Building Council, Gold Certification, LEED® 2007

West Entry

U.S. Green Building Council, Gold Certification, LEED® 2011

Our Mission

Woodland Park Zoo saves wildlife and inspires everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.

Land Acknowledgment

Woodland Park Zoo recognizes that these are the lands of the Tribal signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott. We acknowledge their stewardship of this place continues to this day and that it is our responsibility to join them to restore the relationship with the living world around us.


5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103   |  206.548.2500  |   zooinfo@zoo.org


Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Humane Certification