Zoo Teens sorting Jazzoo 2024’s waste.

At Jazzoo, the fun doesn’t go to waste – literally. One of our biggest nights of the year hits all the right notes when it comes to sustainability.  

With Jazzoo seeing hundreds of guests walk through the door, it is by far one of our most environmentally impactful events, so year after year we’ve upped our sustainable efforts. This year, we finally hope to reach our zero-waste goals.   

All of the dishware that pairs with Jazzoo’s gourmet bites, from cutlery to napkins to bowls and plates, are BPI-certified compostables. All of these products, along with the leftover food scraps that accompany them, will be sorted into large composting bins during the event by members of our sustainability team. Guests will also receive a complimentary reusable souvenir cup that can be returned after the event or brought home to enjoy alongside meals all year long.  

Jazzoo-goers will be able to drop off their used plates, cutlery and leftover food at strategically placed waste stations located around the Zoo. There, attendants donning a green apron waiting to sort the garbage into the proper location. Bussers will also roam around the event happy to collect any unwanted items, which they will transport back to the sorting stations. Full bins will be carted to a staging area where the waste will be sorted, weighed and recorded. This will also be where items will get a secondary inspection to ensure that non-compostables didn’t sneak in from an outside source. This process can be a very dirty job (think elbow-deep in discarded chicken fingers and unfinished dessert samplers), so we are incredibly grateful for our team’s hard work.    

Last year’s compost haul!

While we do have a composting process on our property for animal manure, we need the help of a commercial-level compost facility due to the sheer volume of items from this one-day affair. This year, hundreds of pounds of food waste will be driven to Christmas, Florida, to finish its composting lifecycle on Froot Farms where it will be turned into nutrient-rich soil for their plant nursery rather than get dumped into our local landfill.  

On top of that, any remaining fresh, uneaten food from the event will be donated to feed those in need.  

We aim for Jazzoo to be a zero-waste event. In order to reach this goal, only 10% of the event’s waste can be landfill-bound. This percentage is determined by weight. Last year, our team calculated 881 pounds of compost, 443 pounds of recycling, 753 pounds of trash and 180 pounds of donated food. That means that 1,504 pounds, or 67%, of our waste, was diverted from the landfill. We hope as we continue to learn more about our own waste production during this event that we can eventually hit that 90%.      

We appreciate your support in helping us meet our sustainability goals, as it is a core part of our mission.  

“As an organization who cares for wildlife, it is important that we help our local species by diverting how much waste goes to the landfill,” said Conservation Coordinator Alyssa Rice. “Caring for wildlife means caring for their habitats, and if we can reduce the negative impacts of our operations, even by just one event at a time, we’ll do it.”    

From guests who savor every bite to staff who make sure nothing goes to waste, Jazzoo’s eco-friendly success is a team effort. When we come together, we’re proving even one night of celebration can help the planet and its inhabitants thrive.

Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.