GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXYZ) — The John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids is planning to eliminate plastic bottles in 2020.
According to WZZM, the zoo took the step as part of its mission to be an active part in wildlife and environmental conservation.
Plastic bottles will be replaced by canned beverages or fountain drinks. Water in plastic bottles will be replaced by Boxed Water is Better, WZZM reports. All the vending machines will be stocked in aluminum cans.
“John Ball Zoo has steadily been eliminating the use of single use plastics over the past several years,” the zoo's CEO Peter D’Arienzo said in the press release. “When we switched to compostable paper straws we saved over 8,000 plastic straws a year from not ending up in the landfill and waterways. The elimination of plastic beverage bottles continues these important efforts.”
According to WZZM, John Ball Zoo anticipates that the move will save 37,134 plastic bottles in just one year.
