The following facts come from the Denver Zoo.
- In preparation for the new LEED certified exhibit, the zoo developed a functioning, portable demonstration gasification system in 2009. The unit was at 10kW prototype, which consumed approximately 20-30 pounds/hour of biomass. The unit was developed to help Denver Zoo understand operation of gasification before building the larger scale unit associated with the Toyota Elephant Passage exhibit.
- Every day, Denver Zoo produces an average 4,200 pounds of general waste (food waste and trash left by visitors), which goes to a landfill, and 2,700 pounds of animal waste that currently is composted.
- Preliminary estimates indicate that the conversion of zoo waste into usable energy could save as much as $150,000 a year in energy costs.
- Denver Zoo’s landfill contributions will be reduced by 1.5 million pounds per year, putting the zoo a giant step closer to becoming a “zero-waste” facility.
- The gasification system will convert more than 90 percent of the zoo’s waste into usable energy.