Sustainable Operations
Building Our Positive Future
The Florida Aquarium’s Blue Team concentrates on meeting three goals in order to support our Advancing Sustainable Operations Conservation Priority. Those goals are to:
- Eliminate the sale of single-use plastic beverage bottles by 2023
- Operate as a zero-waste facility by 2030
- Achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035
Sustainable Successes
Our first Sustainable Business and Operations Plan, implemented from 2021-2023, guided our efforts to reduce our environmental impact by making environmentally, socially, and economically conscious decisions across nine focal areas. Under this plan, we:
Determined Our Annual Carbon Output
By hiring an independent vendor to assess our Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions.
Reduced Energy and Water Consumption
By upgrading our HVAC systems, switching to LED bulbs, and installing aerators and motion sensors on bathroom faucets.
Reduced Consumption of Single-Use Plastics
By eliminating the sale of single-use plastic beverage bottles, implementing reusable gloves in housekeeping and cloth towels in commissary, using recycled paper for printing, switching to uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles, and digitizing reservations, maps, and membership cards.
Reduced the Impact of Our Retail Sales
With our partner, Event Network, by using only reusable bags, selling plush toys made from 100% recycled plastic bottles, and stocking items with minimal packaging.
Reduced Our Food Waste
With our partner, SSA, by locally sourcing our food, wine, beer, and coffee; serving only sustainable seafood; minimizing use of single-use and plastic items; and donating unserved foods to Feeding Tampa Bay.
Maintaining Momentum
Our 2024-2026 Sustainable Business & Operations Plan focuses on advancing our sustainable practices and moving us closer to achieving our zero-waste goal by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2035. We are also sharing our approach, ideas, and best practices with local businesses to assist them in establishing and meeting their own sustainable operations goals
One Goal. Multiple Initiatives.
At The Florida Aquarium, we’re taking a multifaceted approach to achieving our purpose of saving marine wildlife. Take a deeper look at our conservation efforts to learn more.
All sea turtle rehabilitation work conducted by The Florida Aquarium is done with the approval of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission under conditions not harmful to marine turtles and authorized under conservation activities pursuant to FWC MTP-25-179.