Sunday, February 23, 2020

Oakland Zoo bans Single Use Plastic. Why wasn't SFZoo first?

So, last weekend while working on those draft posts I continually mention, two things that irked me came up.  ... This was one of them.

Oakland Zoo Takes Stand Against Single-Use Plastics
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/oakland-zoo-takes-stand-against-143500842.html

Why does this bother me? Because our SFZoo should have been first to do this.  In recent times I have tried to limit my issues, especially ones I use my time and energy to write about, to those pertaining to the Animals.  But, after twelve years of being sensitive to what goes on at the Zoo, ten years documenting, I have been increasingly irritated, and frankly at my breaking point, that our Zoo is not the best it can be.  I'll save the rest of my rant for another time. 

In a recent post, News on Triple Grotto (1.20.20), I referred to a conversation I had with an upper management staffer, who I asked for a timeline for when there would be a third space created in Triple Grotto, so the Orangutans had a yard to use daily.  In that same conversation, the subject of single use plastics came up.  In the midst of talking about the Orangutan situation, this staffer brought up a personal goal to get rid of single-use plastics in the Cafe, by installing more water filling stations on the grounds.  I said that one does not relate to the other, as the Cafe could stop selling them anytime.  The staffer said, it takes time, noting the agreement with SSA who manages the concessions.  I said, but they are in the Zoo and if you request they stop, shouldn't they stop? The staffer said, the Cafe would lose revenue, that's why the stations are needed.  I said, that makes no sense, as regardless of where and when the stations appear, they are still not going to be selling them, so no revenue anyway.  If revenue was the issue, they could easily replace the bottled water with canned water at anytime.  They sell canned liquor, they can sell canned water.  As well, there are two plain water taps in the Cafe at the Soda station, as well two filling stations on the grounds.  Even though its unnecessary, I also suggested installing a watering station in the Cafe.  If they had to have another one, that seemed like the logical place. The debate went no where, as there was no where for it to go.  It made no sense to me.  Maybe I'm missing something?

The article mentioned 
canned Dasani water
so this can be replaced.
There are also juices
 that come in cans,
 these plastics can go too.

Considering SSA also manages concessions at Oakland Zoo and they were able to get it done, what is the disconnect with San Francisco Zoo successfully accomplishing this?   

This is not to throw anyone under the bus, but come on.  SFZoo keeps Orangutans in cages, and can't even negotiate a water bottle situation.  There is something seriously wrong at management level.  Our SFZoo should be doing better.

I know that even the mention of management flaws makes me vulnerable to retaliation, as I have been targeted in the past twice now, but things need to be said, and I'm going to continue to say them. There is no rule or law against me voicing my opinion.

I voiced my opinion on the installation of more water stations in a post from December 2018.  I took issue with the Zoo soliciting donations for them when there were Animal related needs that could use funding.  It's a waste of money in my opinion.


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