Environmental Regulations to Sustainability in Zoos and Aquariums: Getting Expert Guidance

Written By: Tate Hunter | Jan 28, 2025

Time to Read 9 Minutes

Environmental Regulations to Sustainability in Zoos and Aquariums: Getting Expert Guidance
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Helping Zoos and Aquariums Navigate Environmental Rules

Running a zoo or aquarium is no small feat. You’re showcasing the beauty of nature, caring for diverse animal species, and creating an unforgettable experience for visitors. But behind the scenes, there’s a complex web of environmental regulations that you need to navigate to protect the natural world that inspires your mission.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Regulations can be confusing and often seem like they’re written in another language. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure this out on your own. At RMA, we’ve helped countless businesses cut through the confusion and build compliance programs that work.

If you’re ready to protect both the wild spaces and your business, we’ve got you covered. Let’s explore the key regulations you might face and how we can help make sense of them.

What Are Environmental Regulations, Anyway?

If you’ve ever wondered what environmental regulations are, the answer is pretty straightforward: they’re rules and laws designed to protect the environment. For zoos and aquariums, that means they safeguard the air, water, and land that are vital to the animals you care for and the guests you serve.

These regulations come in many forms, ranging from permits and approvals to emergency preparation documents and reporting requirements. They can be federal, state, or even local, depending on the type of regulation and your facility’s location. Most originate from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but agencies at other levels of government often enforce their own versions or add specific requirements.

Not meeting these regulations can have serious consequences. Penalties can range from fines and bad press to legal trouble or even closure. But the good news? You don’t have to navigate these alone. The best place to start is an environmental audit — where an expert will visit your site, identify which rules apply to you, and map out a path to compliance. If you need help, we’d love to schedule an audit or use our free online assessment tool for an instant snapshot of your potential needs.

penguins in zoo enclosure

Common Environmental Regulations for Zoos & Aquariums—And How to Address Them

Every zoo and aquarium is different, and so are the regulations that might apply to you. Let’s break down the most common ones, keeping in mind that there may be others based on your operations and location. If this feels like too much, don’t worry — our team at RMA is here to help.

Water Quality Regulations

Water is at the heart of what zoos and aquariums do. It’s used in exhibits, cleaning, and maintenance, but when it leaves your site, it can carry pollutants that harm the environment. That’s where water quality regulations come in, governed under the Clean Water Act.

Most facilities will need an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit to regulate their water discharges. This permit is designed to limit the pollutants entering local waterways. But an NPDES permit doesn’t stop at just approval—it comes with responsibilities. Facilities must conduct regular water sampling and testing, adhere to Best Management Practices (BMPs), and often develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) or similar documents. If your facility discharges large volumes of water, treatment systems may also be required before releasing it.

Getting permit approval and meeting these requirements can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what applies to your facility. That’s where we come in. With years of experience in water quality compliance, we can help you determine what’s required, file permits, and put systems in place to ensure you meet your obligations. Click here to get started with NPDES permitting.

Environmental Help for Zoos and Aquariums

Oil & Petroleum Regulations

Many zoos and aquariums store oil or petroleum products on-site, whether it’s for fueling vehicles, boilers or heaters, running emergency generators, or using hydraulic equipment. If your facility can store more than 1,320 gallons of oil in containers of 55 gallons or larger, you’re subject to the SPCC (Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure) rule.

The SPCC rule requires a detailed SPCC plan for your facility, which outlines how spills will be prevented and how your team will respond if one occurs. This plan includes site maps, detailed descriptions of your storage, response procedures, staff training records, regular inspection logs, and much more.

SPCC plans are highly detailed and tailored to your facility’s operations, and creating one can be a complex process. But don’t worry—our team specializes in SPCC compliance and can help you develop a plan that meets all requirements. Click here to learn more about our SPCC plan development process.

large emergency generator setup in a back room at an aquarium

Air Quality Regulations

Air quality might not be the first thing you think of when running a zoo or aquarium, but it’s a crucial part of compliance. For many facilities, the focus here is once again on equipment like emergency generators, heating systems, or large boilers that can emit pollutants into the air. These emissions are regulated under the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Depending on your operations, you may need an air permit that sets limits on how much you can emit. Permits often require regular maintenance and testing to ensure equipment stays compliant with emission standards. But there’s more to air quality than just permits. In some cases, you may also need to address odor management to ensure nearby communities (and your guests) aren’t impacted by unpleasant smells.

Regulations can vary widely, depending on your location and the type of equipment you operate. Air quality compliance can be complex, involving complex calculations of your facility's Potential to Emit (PTE) and other technical details. But don’t worry — our team can guide you through the entire process, from determining your permitting needs to setting up compliance programs that keep your air clean. Check out our air permitting information page here!

Environmental Help for Zoos and Aquariums

Waste Management Regulations

Zoos and aquariums are no strangers to waste. Whether it’s leftover food from guest concessions, bedding and manure from animal habitats, or veterinary and maintenance waste, managing it properly is critical. Every zoo and aquarium needs to have an airtight waste management program. But waste isn’t just a sanitation issue—it’s also a regulatory one.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governs how hazardous waste is handled, and it may apply to more materials than you think. Biohazardous waste from veterinary procedures, cleaning solutions, paint, batteries, and fluorescent bulbs are just a few examples of items that may fall under hazardous waste regulations.

Proper waste management often starts with a waste audit. This involves identifying all the waste streams your facility generates and determining which ones are subject to regulation. From there, you’ll need to set up processes to handle, store, and dispose of these materials properly. To find out more about how we can help your zoo or aquarium with waste, check out our waste & hazardous waste page here.

Aquarium Employee and Seal Interacting

Environmental Reporting Regulations

Zoos and aquariums often store and use a wide variety of materials—everything from fuels and cleaning chemicals to pesticides and refrigerants. Many of these materials are subject to reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

Two key reporting programs to know about are Tier II CRTK (Community Right-to-Know) reporting and TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) reporting. Tier II reporting focuses on hazardous chemical inventory, ensuring that emergency responders and local communities know what’s on-site in case of an incident. TRI reporting, on the other hand, tracks the release of specific chemicals into the environment.

These reports are essential for transparency and safety, but they can be tedious to complete. Requirements vary based on the types and quantities of materials you store, and the deadlines are strict. If this sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. Our team has years of experience with EPCRA compliance and can help you prepare accurate, timely reports. Learn more about the Tier II process here, and explore the TRI process here!

Environmental Help for Zoos and Aquariums

Environmental Training

Staff training is a cornerstone of compliance. After all, even the most detailed plans and permits are useless if your team doesn’t understand how to implement them.

Environmental regulations often require specific environmental training for staff. For example, spill prevention and response training is a must for facilities subject to SPCC regulations. Similarly, employees involved in handling hazardous waste need RCRA-specific training to ensure they understand how to store and dispose of it safely.

The challenge is that many facilities don’t have the expertise to deliver this training in-house. That’s where we come in - offering ready-to-use online courses for a variety of environmental regulations. And for when one-size-fits-all training doesn't float your boat, we build custom training programs designed to meet your facility’s unique needs. Whatever your team needs, we’ll make it happen.

Zookeeper feeding giraffe

Sustainability: Going Above and Beyond

While sustainability isn’t a legal requirement, it’s becoming an expectation for zoos and aquariums. Visitors want to know that you’re not just displaying nature but actively protecting it.

Sustainability can take many forms. Some facilities focus on optimizing recycling programs, while others invest in energy-efficient systems or water conservation measures. For those looking to make a bold statement, adopting an Environmental Management System (EMS) or pursuing certifications like ISO14001 can demonstrate your commitment to the environment.

The benefits go beyond good PR. Sustainability initiatives can reduce your operational costs, improve efficiency, and enhance your reputation as a leader in conservation. If you’re ready to take your green efforts to the next level, we’d love to guide you through the process - let's talk sustainability!

Environmental Help for Zoos and Aquariums

Partner with Experts Who Understand Your Needs

Navigating environmental regulations can be confusing, but they’re critical for zoos and aquariums committed to conservation. After all, how can we claim to protect nature if we’re not following the rules designed to safeguard it?

At RMA, we’ve spent decades helping facilities like yours build compliance programs that work. Whether you need help with a single permit or want to overhaul your environmental practices, we’re here to make it happen.

Ready to get started? Let’s chat and create a plan that works for you. Together, we can protect your zoo or aquarium - and the planet - one step at a time.

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