Stepping behind the scenes at the world-famous Columbus Zoo and Aquarium reveals an extraordinary commitment to sustainability that extends far beyond animal care. In this enlightening conversation with Tom Schmid, President and CEO, and Kristeena Blaser, Director of Sustainability, we discover how this beloved institution manages its massive ecological footprint while working to save wildlife across the globe.

The scale of operations at the Columbus Zoo is staggering - processing 1.6 million pounds of animal food annually while maintaining an impressive 80% waste diversion rate. From transforming animal waste into coveted "Zoo Brew" fertilizer to recycling everything from electronics to Halloween candy wrappers, the zoo demonstrates that conservation begins with daily choices. Their innovative partnerships with local organizations like Price Farms Organics and SWACO showcase how collaborative efforts amplify environmental impact.

We explore the zoo's ambitious sustainability targets, including their goal to achieve zero waste certification by 2040, and learn about their newly rebranded WILD Zero Waste Challenge launching July 1st. This mobile app-based initiative has already engaged 48,000 participants, preventing 1.6 million single-use plastic items from reaching landfills.

The conversation expands to showcase recent developments across their five entities - including the $35 million North America Trek featuring enhanced habitats for bears, river otters, and Mexican wolves and groundbreaking global conservation initiatives.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast, sustainability advocate, or simply curious about how all the animals are taken care of, this episode offers fascinating insights into how one of the world's premier zoos is creating a model for conservation. Discover how you can participate through visiting, volunteering, or joining to make your own environmental impact measurable and meaningful.