Our Pledge to Reduce Single-Use Plastic
Recognising the detrimental effect of high levels of plastic waste in our oceans and the wider environment, members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) have committed to do what they can to address this major environmental concern. Colchester Zoo has signed a pledge to reduce the levels of plastic being used on our premises and to encourage staff and visitors to commit to reducing single-use plastic in their everyday lives.
– To work to reduce wherever possible the level of plastic within our site in a manner that is appropriate for our location and situation
– To work with members of the public to increase awareness of the situation surrounding the level of plastic in our environment and contribute to positive behaviour change to reduce those levels
– To work with their staff to increase awareness of the situation and contribute to positive behaviour change to reduce levels of plastic
Colchester Zoo’s teams have been working hard to reduce the amount of one-use plastic products sold on our site or reaching our site from our suppliers.

Re:Water
From March 2022 we will be selling Re:Water – The world’s first 100% recycled aluminium water bottle which comes filled and can then be re-used and re-filled again and again to help stop plastic waste. The bottle also keeps the water inside cooler and fresher for longer so you won’t be wasting water either!
Visit their website for more information HERE
Read more about Vegware HERE
We are also working to reduce the number of plastic sauce sachets used, switching to larger sauce dispensers instead, and to remove UHT/whole milk jiggers in our outlets in favour of milk offered to our customers in jugs.
Read more about One Water HERE
Read more about HiveWrap HERE
We are also working with our suppliers to reduce the plastic wrapping they supply our bespoke retail products in, for instance our jewellery is delivered in baskets that return to the supplier monthly and our magnets and key rings are not packaged in small plastic bag.
Read more about Calico Cottage HERE
Read more about Ecokin HERE
We are also have an our Keel Eco Soft toy range of products that have soft stitched not plastic eyes, again to help reduce the amount of plastic used in our toys and gifts.
Read more about Keel Eco Soft HERE
We are committed to continuing working towards our pledge and reducing our use of plastic around our site. If you would like to learn more about the potential for zoos to reduce plastic, please look HERE.