The National Aquarium diligently and creatively pursues green practices that enable it to live the mission that guides it: to provide transforming experiences that inspire people to enjoy, respect and protect the aquatic world. In 2009, the Aquarium was recognized by the Baltimore Business Journal and Smart CEO Magazine for exceptional green business practices.

With the aquatic world making up 70% of Earth, human impact on the world’s ecosystems is profound.  Humankind’s behaviors on land affect the water we drink, the water that nourishes our crops and the water that supports vast species of aquatic life.  With the capacity and the responsibility to increase public awareness of these issues, the Aquarium strives to implement green conservation action programs both within and without its walls:

• Internally, a committed and dedicated staff drives the establishment of environmentally friendly business practices.
• Externally, conservation education focuses on and communicates environmental issues and actions that the public and our staff and volunteers can undertake to effect change.
• In the community, conservation research and action projects restore, protect and manage critical species or ecosystems.

The Aquarium’s staff-driven Internal Conservation Committee (ICC) of 27 members includes a steering committee and six sub-committees responsible for Recycling, Investigations, Internal Practices, Programs, Staff Awareness and Communications.

The ICC encourages responsible business practices across all departments of the Aquarium. Major accomplishments include:

Energy Audits: Energy challenges involved in keeping 16,000 animals alive and healthy in a 20-plus-year-old building and in maintaining comfortable experiences for more than 1.4 million visitors prompted this undertaking. The results of these audits have helped shape a five-year working plan to make the Aquarium more energy efficient.

A Major Recycling Initiative: In 2008 alone, the Aquarium recycled 56 tons of plastic, glass and aluminum; 21,832 pounds of cardboard; 9 tons of paper, some 200 pounds of technotrash; and hundreds of pounds of old computers, toner cartridges, printers,  screens, etc.

Office and Animal Supplies:

• Using New Leaf Paper, a coated paper with 80% recycled content, the highest in the industry, the Aquarium saved 171 trees on major projects.
• When possible, purchased office supplies are selected and ordered based on their eco-friendly production and environmental sustainability. Office supply purchases were dramatically reduced by semi-annual Office Supply Swaps.
• Toilet paper tubes, used towels, half-gallon jugs, guitar picks, etc. are collected by staff for education programs and to construct enrichment toys and stimulation items for animals.

Building Initiatives:

• Green Roof: In 2006, the Aquarium installed a green roof on the top of the 4-D Immersion Theater. The roof’s perimeter is approximately 120 x 40 feet. It’s about 4 feet deep and filled with native sedum plants. The green roof helps to naturally cool the building, reducing energy consumption, and has a better life span than standard hard-surface roofs. The roof is also a great benefit to the city because the plants help to reduce storm water runoff.
• Amphitheater Bleachers: When the bleachers in the dolphin show amphitheater needed replacing, the Aquarium’s facility team researched and found a manufacturer that was able to build the new bleachers from 100% recycled plastic materials.
• Pier 3 to Pier 4 bridge: In 2009, the bridge that connects Pier 3 to Pier 4 needed replacing. The Aquarium worked with the City to ensure that the bridge was made from recycled materials.
• Lights: Installation of sensor lights for triggered lighting in Aquarium office areas.
• Public Restrooms: Installation of power-generated automatic flushers and faucets in public bathrooms, which eliminates the use of batteries, which previously powered the flushers and faucets and were being replaced every few months.

Food Service:

• The coffee available onsite is grown and processed by means that support bio-diversity while providing habitat for birds and other wildlife.
• Plates, cups and napkins are made of materials that are biodegradable and compostable.
• Sustainable fish is a menu feature and Seafood Watch Pocket Guides are available to guests.
• Recycling stations provide visitors with appropriate waste receptacles.
• Condiment pumps replace small plastic containers, and visitors are encouraged to request straws and beverage lids when needed.
• Composting is currently being tested in the café to see how visitors respond, to help create the best system for composting.

Gift Shop: Aquarium gift shops provide biodegradable bags for purchases.  Transitioning to increased numbers of green products resulted in “green” sales exceeding $100,000.

Staff Incentives: To promote conservation/green initiatives, staff members are given a paid conservation day to participate in conservation events and the ICC gives green hero and green commuter awards throughout the year.

In the Community: The Aquarium’s Conservation department provides opportunities for community volunteers to help restore habitats and increase environmental awareness in Bay communities.

• Over 10 years, under the direction of the Aquarium, 5,894 volunteers have given 51,318 hours to help restore 107-plus acres of vital habitat (planting 1,091,940 trees, shrubs and grasses and removing 507,321 pieces of debris).
• The vehicle fleet is carbon neutral.
• 65 native trees were planted in 2008.