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Sustainable Operations

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We embrace sustainable best practices to reduce our impact on the environment and work towards a carbon neutral Mandai by 2024 through:

  • Resource Stewardship
  • Responsible Procurement
  • Sustainable Design

RESOURCE STEWARDSHIP

Carbon Management
 
We track carbon emissions and explore optimal ways of offsetting the carbon we produce, examples of which include reducing energy consumption and creating a sustainable value chain.            
Clean And Efficient Use Of Energy
 
Besides prioritising improvements in energy efficiencies, plans to integrate and maximise renewable solar energy throughout Mandai precinct have been put into action, setting the stage for our pivot towards greener sources of energy.
 
We are striving towards 100% renewable electricity by 2030. We will implement on-site solar panels at all available and permissible rooftops across new and existing parks, while exploring how to tap into the electricity generated by larger-scale solar farms at off-site locations.
 
To improve operational efficiency in our existing parks, various upgrading and modification projects implemented across the precinct have helped reap energy savings. 
 
Key initiatives include:
  • Upgrading of aging equipment to more energy efficient ones, for e.g the upgrade of the filtration system at the Zoo Pygmy Hippo Exhibit and that at the sewer pump station are projected to save 46,643 kWh /year.
  • Modifications to wet moat circulation pumps operation for Zoo and Night Safari for e.g. the installation of digital timers to run at alternate hours, with projected savings of 54,676 kWh /year. We also continued to explore the use of solar-powered pumps.
Green Transport
 
We have been electrifying our internal fleet since 2018 and all electric trams as well as two electric vans are now operational. We also conducted a pilot study to use biodiesel for our Khatib Shuttle Buses and are exploring ways to circularise used cooking oil from our kitchens.
 
To support Singapore’s ambition to power all vehicles using clean energy by 2040, we have installed 10 electric vehicle (EV) charging points in our multi-storey carpark. These are well used by staff as well as park guests, and more EV charging lots will be installed within Mandai precinct.
 
Another 28 EV lots will be made available in the new Mandai development in East Node, and provisions for more in West Node are being planned.     
Our electric tram fleet in operation since 2018

Zero Waste
 
We target to achieve 60% waste diversion rate by 2030.
 
Measures taken and, in the pipeline, include:
 
  • Building of two wastewater recycling plants that are expected to meet 21% of our precinct’s future water needs 
    Recycling of horticultural waste into mulch for planting beds and animal bedding. Some 30 back-of-house animal care areas for care are using the bedding
  • Facilitating download for digital park maps to replace some 149,000 printed park maps distributed each month
  • Black soldier fly and blue worm upcycling of animal food waste   
  • Catered facilities for Horticulture waste recycling (for new parks) 
  • Provisions for Food Waste Composters (for new parks)
Closing Mandai's water loop
 
From rainwater collection to the treatment of wastewater, we continued to devise ways to manage our water resources more effectively. 
 

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting features are implemented in developing parks where feasible and are projected to meet 5% of the precinct's water needs. We are exploring the feasibility of capturing rainwater on-site in existing parks to decrease potable water usage.

Recycling Of Wastewater

The newly commissioned Mandai Wildlife Reserve wastewater Recycling Plants will soon start recycling wastewater from cleaning of animal dens and other back-of-house activities. We can expect 21% of the precinct’s future water needs to be met by this blackwater recycling.

Manatee Water Recovery System

Each manatee’s food intake is 350 – 600kg a day, with an output to match. To keep the water in the manatee’s habitat at River Wonders clean while optimising water usage, wastewater from the tank is not directly discharged but cycled through a bio bed filter.

Specially selected plants such as pandan and alligator-flag are grown in the bio bed to remove contaminants in the water. Besides improving water quality, the alligator-flag attracts bees and dragonflies and provides natural shelter for them.

This water recovery system recycles around 30,000m3 of water, which is 50% of our annual water savings.  

RESPONSIBLE PROCUREMENT

Green procurement is an integral part of our sustainable operations, not only to lighten carbon footprint but also to influence the supply chain for sustainable products. Launched in June 2019, our Green Procurement Policy provides detailed guidance to business users on sustainable buying and exemplifies our preference for responsibly sourced products. As far as possible, we incorporate sustainability requirements in tender specifications. 

Sustainable Procurement Roadmaps were developed based on top spends and environmental impact to guide our procurement. Palm oil, wood-based products and seafood are among goods that must be sustainably sourced.  

All palm oil used in our kitchens is certified sustainable. 100% of seafood served at our F&B outlets are sustainably sourced. Beef is not featured on our F&B menu because of its disproportionately high environmental impact. We are working towards sustainable sourcing of other products such as animal feed and apparel. 

Feeding Our Animals Sustainably
 
We diversify and source for more sustainable alternatives for our animal feed, supporting local produce where possible, to reduce our carbon footprint. We also embrace the use of ugly greens as animal feed, which tend to be rejected by human consumers for cosmetic reasons but are just as nutritious as “good-looking” ones.  
“Ugly” greens make up about 40% of all fresh vegetables purchased for animal feed.

Sustainable Merchandise

All main retail stores have a completed Sustainability Corner featuring merchandise that meets sustainability standards and/or contributes to either wildlife conservation or social causes. 

Sustainably Sourced Meals 

We support sustainable consumption and strive to serve sustainably sourced food and only use reusables at our venues to reduce the impact to the environment. We also offer sustainability-themed MICE or corporate events and customise our tours, to allow a glimpse of what is done to keep our operations sustainable.  

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

We design our parks to holistically and seamlessly integrate with the natural environment. 

Accreditations include:

  • National Parks Board Landscape Excellence Assessment Framework (LEAF) Platinum certifications for Singapore Zoo, River Wonders and Night Safari. 
  • Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark (Platinum) Super Low Energy (SLE) award for Mandai Resort - the first hotel in Singapore to attain this accreditation. 
  • BCA Green Mark (Platinum) for Penguin Cove at Bird Paradise.

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Find out how, together, we're creating a better future for wildlife and the planet.