Sustainability is a journey of choices and small changes that each of us—individuals, institutions, and companies—can make according to our own capabilities. It is a collective construction: many actions, even small ones, that together contribute to building a more balanced future between human activities and nature. The theme is at the heart of the many activities that GZP promotes for all its audiences, not just schools, and it is also a path undertaken to reduce its environmental impact, promote responsible use of resources, and foster circular economy practices in line with the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
Consumo responsabile e acquisti sostenibili
One of the key aspects concerns purchasing decisions. Veronica is the person in charge of this and is always very careful about everything that enters the Park: paper and detergents are Ecolabel certified, guaranteeing high environmental standards throughout the entire production cycle. Furthermore, detergents use dosing systems that reduce waste and consumption. In maintenance and layout activities, we prioritize the use of certified and recycled materials, such as FSC-certified wood whenever possible or wood chips (wood by-products) from local supply chains.
Animal feed is an important area for sustainability.
Sourcing food as close to home as possible is the guiding principle: hay comes from the Apennines and the Pistoia area, while alfalfa and straw come from farms within 30 km. While it’s not possible to source the penguins’ fish from nearby seas, we ensure it’s certified and caught using sustainable fishing methods.
Another significant practice is the recovery of fruits and vegetables from large-scale retail outlets, which, while no longer suitable for human consumption, are still perfectly suitable for animal feed.
In keeping with the circular economy, fruit and vegetable scraps and leaves are transformed into compost used to fertilize the park’s plants, while a vermiculture system produces additional natural fertilizer for the greenery using animal waste from stables.
Towards energy self-sufficiency
Energy use is certainly another area where sustainability can make a difference: the GZP’s combustion-powered vehicles have been replaced mostly with electric ones for internal transportation, and a process of replacing traditional light bulbs with LED lighting has begun. Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the giraffe facility, contributing to the production of renewable energy, and we are planning further steps to increase green energy production.
Great attention is also paid to resource management. The water from the tanks is reused to irrigate the green areas, and some systems operate with recirculation circuits.
Beyond the GZP
Sustainability for a zoo is not just about internal management.
The GZP supports conservation projects in areas where endangered species live, and each program combines species protection with the involvement of local communities: environmental education programs, support for park rangers, and economic activities that are alternatives to the exploitation of natural resources. Improving the living conditions of the people who live in the places we want to protect is part of the conservation project itself.
Here at the GZP, we consider sustainability not a definitive goal but a constantly evolving process: a set of daily choices that, taken together, contribute to the protection of biodiversity and the construction of a more sustainable future.
Eleonora Angelini, Head of Education and Communications, Pistoia Zoological Garden
