Perth Zoo recognised at Infinity Awards for innovative disposal of organic waste

WITH so many animals, it is no wonder Perth Zoo creates a lot of organic waste.

The zoo’s solution to the 600kg of manure that the animals produce every day earned the organisation the State Government Award at the Waste Authority 2016 Infinity Awards.

The creation of Creature Compost, which includes the zoo’s excess animal manure and garden waste, has allowed it to reduce its garbage going to landfill by 74 per cent over the last three years.

Perth Zoo environmental sustainability co-ordinator Dan Baker said a number of barriers were removed in 2013 to allow the organisation to sell the compost after it collaborated with commercial partner Nutrarich.

“When you consider just one of our elephants will produce 60 to 80kg of waste per day, it’s good to have a solution to the problem about where it should go,” he said.

Mr Baker said the product was sustainable and was a better solution for the environment.

“This product has helped us divert 500 tonnes of organic waste from landfill in the past 12 months,” he said.

“Burying organic materials produces large volumes of methane, one of the worst greenhouse gasses, so we’re thrilled to be able to reduce our environmental footprint even further.

“And it’s the product that just keeps on giving as funds raised from the purchase of Creature Compost helps with the running costs of the zoo, which means we can divert more money into saving wildlife.”

The public can purchase the compost from the zoo’s shop or on www.perthzoo.com.au.