As one of Northern Ireland’s leading visitor attractions, and the home to over 100 different species, Belfast Zoo is committed to providing innovative solutions that work hand in hand with improving the visitor experience, creating a cleaner zoo environment, and making operations more efficient.

A visit to the zoo is all about discovering wildlife, enjoying the outdoors, and spending quality time with family and friends. On arrival, visitors expect to be greeted by a clean and welcoming environment which takes a lot of work behind the scenes. This is why Belfast Zoo has taken a smart step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future with the installation of a mixed fleet of 20 Bigbelly stations across the grounds.

One of the great features of these bins is that they are easy to use and give users the option to deposit waste via a hands-free opening by means of a foot pedal, offering a more hygienic way to deposit waste and further enhance the visitor experience. For visitors, the difference may seem simple, but for the zoo crew, the technology can make waste collection much more efficient. Rather than routinely checking every bin, the built-in sensors monitor fill levels in real-time and alert staff when they need emptying, allowing staff to prioritise the units that actually need attention.

Wild Waste Stations

On-the-go recycling has never been easier for visitors with both recycling and compost streams available on the zoo grounds. By offering a variety of waste streams, Belfast Zoo is reducing contamination and have already converted 42% of their waste to recycling. From an operational point of view, the Zoo has also seen other impressive benefits since integrating the Bigbelly system including:

• Increased waste capacity
• Real-time monitoring
• Pest elimination

With thousands of people passing through the zoo during busy weekends and school holidays, waste levels can change quickly. These smart features have helped operatives reduce and anticipate overflows while streamlining and managing operations more efficiently in high-footfall zones such as picnic areas, cafés and car parks.

Public Engagement

The high-visibility wrap designs have integrated seamlessly into the zoo surroundings and have helped encourage user engagement. In addition to parents, many kids have been getting involved and want to use the bins correctly. This is made easier thanks to the brightly coloured wraps, with a different colour supporting each waste stream, allowing kids to associate different types of waste with a specific colour. The customized branding also serves as a unique, high-visibility platform right on the zoo grounds, where staff can promote initiatives and encourage visitors to take part.

Reducing Insect and Pest Presence

Our Bigbelly solutions are helping to keep the animal habitats and surrounding areas of the zoo clean and free from any potentially harmful rodents or pests. Due to the fully enclosed nature of these bins, pest and animal access is prevented – an important consideration in an environment where animal welfare is top priority. In addition to reduced rodent activity, Belfast Zoo has also seen an impressive 90% reduction in the presence of wasps across the site. Since the installation, this dramatic reduction in wasp activity is helping create a safer and more enjoyable environment for both staff and visitors.

We are delighted to see Belfast Zoo investing in smarter waste management solutions and it’s great to see their visitors also showing an interest in the new technology and wanting to use them correctly, while also encouraging the next generation to do their bit to protect the Zoo grounds and the planet.

Think our solutions could be the right fit for you? Get in touch today!