The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee advocates for the planet we share with its elephant residents by integrating sustainability into every aspect of its operations—from decision-making and purchasing to fostering a culture of environmental responsibility.
As part of its ongoing sustainability initiatives, The Sanctuary has adopted practices such as purchasing eco-friendly products, composting waste, using environmentally conscious cleaning supplies, and ensuring robust recycling. For example, eco-friendly chainsaw lubricant was implemented for cutting browse for the elephants, and all departments transitioned to cleaning tablets rather than single-use plastics for hand soap and cleaning sprays.
In 2024, the Sustainability Committee proudly reports that 98% of waste was diverted from landfills, setting a new benchmark for sustainability. This year also marks another step forward, as The Sanctuary began measuring and reporting all recycling by weight, offering greater transparency and accountability. In 2024, total composting reached 854,167 pounds, and recycling amounted to 56,950 pounds, including:
- Cardboard: 5,380 lbs
- Glass: 820 lbs
- Steel: 49,260 lbs
- Plastics: 565 lbs
- Paper: 680 lbs
The Sanctuary continues to lead by example in environmental responsibility, aligning its purchasing decisions with sustainability goals and fostering a culture of mindful choices.