Saint Louis Zoo – Lakeside Cafe

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Lakeside Café at the St. Louis Zoo feeds St. Louisans and tourists from all over the world. They use their unique position as one of the best attractions in St. Louis as an opportunity to educate their customers about conservation, especially waste reduction. Composting bins are provided next to every trash and recycling bin in their cafeteria, and all organic materials are composted in their kitchen.

Lakeside Café doesn’t allow straws in any beverages to protect their animals – that’s because straws often end up discarded and carried away by wind and rain, winding up in areas where they can cause significant harm. The only straws allowed at the zoo come in refillable souvenir sippy cups, which can be refilled for only $1 any time you visit the zoo! This innovative solution helps reduce waste from paper cups, lids, and straws, while saving money for guests.

The zoo’s #byetobags campaign has eliminated the use of all disposable bags allowing guests to purchase $1 reusable bags. Water use is measured and reduced through water meters and dual-flush toilets, and energy use is reduced through strict HVAC control and maintenance, LED lights, and Energy Star equipment.

The Lakeside Cafe always offer hearty vegetarian, vegan, and healthy options, showcasing foods with a low environmental impact. They showcase local beers like 4 Hands, Urban Chestnut, Schlafly, and more! All of their coffee is Rainforest Alliance certified, ensuring responsible stewardship of fragile rainforests where the beans are grown.

Check out Lakeside Café and Café Kudu on your next zoo visit to see how the zoo’s sustainability extends beyond animal conservation!