Each time you visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, youâre supporting initiatives that help empower people and save wildlife.
But what next? We hope that when you leave, you take some new knowledge or inspiration with you to share with others in your home, workplace, and our community. Weâre proud of the work we do, but we canât do it without your support and participation. Small actions can have a big impact, and we can accomplish even more by all working together toward the same goals!
What are some other actions you can take to help wildlife and wild places? There are many options, and quite often, itâs about making informed choices! Here are a few examples to help you learn, get involved, and lead the way.
Recycle
This is the first step that each of us can take to make a change. Find out what you can recycle in your community and make recycling part of your lifestyle. Even garbage from inland landfills can reach the ocean. Does your school or work place have a recycling program? If not, consider starting one!
Conserve Water
The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually finds its way back into our ocean.
Be Aware of Chemicals
Oxybenzone is a common chemical found in sunscreen, and it is harmful to coral. Use sunscreens that are oxybenzone-free to help protect coral reefs, which play a critical role in the health of our planet.
Find Alternatives to Single-Use Plastic
Of all the trash that ends up in our rivers and eventually in the ocean, plastics are the most common. Sea turtles, seals, coral reefs, sea birds, and many other aquatic animals are harmed by plastic pollution. Specifically, humans use approximately 500 million plastic straws every day, and many of them end up as trash in our ocean. Make a difference and say no to plastic straws!
Join Us for the Plastic Free Ecochallenge in July
While the use of plastic has benefited modern technology, very little of the single-use plastic is recycled or reused for other purposes. Millions of tons of discarded plastic continue to swirl through the ocean and as plastic takes up to 1,000 years to decompose in landfills, it can negatively impact people and wildlife for decades. The Columbus Zoo is leading an initiative specifically for the zoo and aquarium community and our supporters to help address these issues facing wildlife locally and globally. This July, we invite you to join us in taking on the Plastic Free Ecochallenge to reduce single-use plastics. During the 31-day challenge, participants choose from over 65 actions under different categories and set realistic goals while also challenging themselves to delve deeper into simple actions to reduce reliance on single-use plastic. Watch for more information coming soon!
Purchase Sustainable Products
One important way you can help is to buy items made from sustainably sourced palm oil. Unsustainably farmed palm oil requires that forests are cleared to create large oil palm plantations. These plantations destroy precious forest habitat that orangutans and other species need. Sustainable palm oil production follows environmental standards to keep the orangutansâ forest habitat healthy. Download the Sustainable Palm Oil Shopping app (available in Google Play or the App Store) to identify which companies use sustainable palm oil and support protecting wildlife.
Keep it Clean
You may be in the habit of picking up your own trash, but have you considered carrying away the trash that others have left behind? Plastic trash injures and kills manatees and other aquatic animals.
Recycle Your Cell Phones
Recycling your cell phone not only keeps it out of the landfill, but it also helps save the gorilla and elephant habitats in the African forest! Cell phones and other electronics use a material called coltan, an ore that is mined only in the Congo region of Africa. Reclaiming the coltan from used phones reduces the negative impact of mining on the environment and on the animals. You can even recycle your cell phone here at the Zoo by bringing in old and unused handheld electronics and putting them in the box just inside the Zooâs entrance. Through the Gorillas on the Line global mobile phone recycling initiative, these items will be recycled so the coltan contained in them will not be mined in gorilla and elephant habitat.
Continue Supporting Your Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Your membership, donations, and ticket sales help us continue to grow our efforts to make a difference locally and globally. We truly appreciate your involvement and support!