OKC Zoo is Wild About Sustainability: 3 Simple Ways to Make a Big Impact

April is Sustainability Month, which means that communities around the world spend a little extra time reflecting on their habits and environmental impact. Here at the Adventure District, we also became curious about our own community, so we asked the pros at the Oklahoma City Zoo about what they do and if they could share some tips.

Kelly Dillow, the Zoo’s Sustainability Coordinator, gave us the inside scoop on some of the Zoo’s efforts, how guests can contribute, and simple choices that have a lasting impact.

1. Community Composting: From Herbivores to Households

One of the Zoo’s most impactful sustainability efforts is its composting program. On-site, waste from herbivore animals becomes OKC Zoo Poo while landscaping trimmings and food scraps from the Zoo’s administration building are all collected and composted.

What makes this effort stand out is the Zoo’s partnership with Fertile Ground Cooperative. Thanks to this collaboration, the OKC Zoo serves as a community compost drop-off site, allowing visitors and locals alike to bring compostable materials from home.

“Compost is a really great solution for mitigating climate change,” Dillow explains. “And this drop-off option lets the public participate in that solution firsthand.”

2. Recycling Right While You Visit

For guests, one of the simplest contributions to sustainability is learning to sort waste correctly during their visit. All trash bins at the Zoo have tops—making them easy to spot—and recycling bins accept plastics #1–7, cardboard, paper, and aluminum.

What to Recycle: Clean plastic containers, aluminum cans, cardboard
What to Trash: Straws, paper towels, food or liquid-covered containers

“The easiest thing visitors can do is recycle right,” says Dillow. “It helps our overall efforts and keeps contamination down.”

Bringing a reusable water bottle is also encouraged. With water refill stations available at the Zoo, visitors can stay hydrated and reduce single-use plastics.

3. Use Less, Pause More: Sustainable Habits at Home

Beyond the gates of the Zoo, sustainable living is within reach. Dillow’s top tip for everyday eco-friendly behavior? Use less.

“Pausing before you buy is a great start,” she says. “There are so many ways to reduce consumption—and a lot of them are simple.”

Visitors interested in learning more can join the Zoo’s annual Plastic Free Eco Challenge each July. The initiative offers resources and ideas for lowering plastic use, improving food sustainability, and making intentional purchases. Follow the Zoo’s Instagram or Facebook to learn more.

Food choices matter too. As part of the Zoo’s call to action to “Eat Sustainably,” Dillow recommends:

  • Buying only what you’ll eat
  • Eating more plants
  • Composting leftover food

Supporting Conservation Through Everyday Action

Sustainability and conservation go hand in hand. “We can’t conserve wildlife and wild places without healthy people and a healthy planet,” Dillow notes.

Visitors can support the Zoo’s ongoing sustainability and conservation efforts in several ways:

Whether you’re visiting for a family outing or planning a school field trip, your choices matter. As Earth Month continues, consider how your next visit to the Zoo can be both fun and environmentally impactful.