Reduction and Recycling (Plastics)

Replacing single-use plastic items with reusable options keeps plastic out of the ocean and animals out of harm’s way.

Easy Action: Houston Zoo saves wildlife by recycling single-use gloves after we are done using them, thanks to the help of our friends at Terracycle.

Houston Zoo is now single-use plastic bag, bottle, and straw free, saving the following annually:
- ~300,000 plastic bottles
- ~80,000 plastic bags
- ~23,000 plastic straws
Houston Zoo removes and recycles discarded fishing line from fishing areas in Galveston to save wildlife like sea turtles.
Houston Zoo saves wildlife by recycling single-use gloves and masks after we are done using them. We recycled 400 pounds of this material in 2020 thanks to the help of our friends at Terracycle.