Devon Contract Waste (DCW) is proud to support businesses, venues and community organisations across the South West with sustainable waste solutions. One of our most unique partnerships is with Dartmoor Zoo, where protecting wildlife and the environment go hand in hand.
Helping the Zoo Manage Its Waste Responsibly
Dartmoor Zoo generates a wide variety of waste streams — from food waste and glass to animal faeces and general rubbish. DCW provides tailored solutions including eurobins and roll-on/roll-off (roro) containers to make sure waste is collected, sorted, and processed responsibly.
Currently, most waste is collected through a general waste system. But that’s about to change. Just like our successful work at Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park stadium, DCW will be installing clearly marked recycling stations across the zoo. These will make it easier for visitors and staff to recycle more and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.
Supporting Dartmoor Zoo’s Sustainability Goals
The team at Dartmoor Zoo are committed to becoming more sustainable and are taking real steps to improve recycling and waste reduction. By introducing recycling stations, we’re helping them achieve their goals while also giving visitors the chance to play their part in protecting the environment.
Positive Outcomes So Far
The partnership is already creating exciting results. Working with other customers, we’ve been able to repurpose olive barrels donated by Dorset-based artisan company Olives Et Al into enrichment toys for Dragan, the zoo’s much-loved Amur tiger.
This initiative shows how a circular economy approach can bring joy to animals and visitors while reducing waste. Read the full story about Dragan’s barrels here.
We’re also collaborating with The Wave Academy to challenge students to create art work from recycled materials. These will be showcased at Dartmoor Zoo’s Christmas events; a creative way to raise awareness of sustainability while involving the local community.
Measuring Impact
While it’s still early days, our next step is to begin weighing the zoo’s recycling. This will allow us to provide quarterly updates on how much waste has been diverted from landfill and how recycling rates are improving over time.
A Shared Mission
Partnerships like this are at the heart of what we do at DCW. By working together, we can help organisations like Dartmoor Zoo achieve their sustainability goals, protect wildlife, and inspire communities to think differently about waste.