The Denver Zoo's Poo-Powered Rickshaw Denver Zoo
Teddy Roosevelt famously said “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” The folks at the Denver Zoo must have thought he was talking crap. The zoo happens to have a lot of animal dung on hand where it is, and via its own patent-pending gasification tech it is doing what it can, introducing a poo-powered rickshaw that turns animal waste and human trash into mobility.
The rickshaw was purchased from Thailand and modified to run on gasified pellets created by the zoo’s own technology. Those pellets, composed of animal waste and garbage generated by human visitors and zoo staff, aren’t just powering the rickshaw, but will be used to generate power at the zoo’s upcoming 10-acre elephant exhibit. Eventually, the zoo thinks it will be able to turn 90 percent of its waste into energy, making use not only of the copious amounts of animal poo it has on hand but also eliminating some 1.5 million pounds of annual garbage waste that previously went into landfills.
The gasification technology was designed by three full-time zoo employees working with a little help here and there from the National Renewable Energy Lab in nearby Boulder, as well as a few other companies and agencies. So it’s a home-grown, DIY system that could presumably be exported to other zoos and anywhere else animal waste is in abundance and energy is needed. This particular rickshaw has already been exported, landing at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in Palm Desert, Calif., this week.
I think this is a really neat idea. This idea could eventually spread to other zoos and places and maybe it could eliminate even more waste and trash that there are in landfills. This could also make the world a more safer place, but I do wonder if the poo or waste gives off a smell like gas does when its being ran?
ReplyDeleteI never knew what a Rickshaw was. This seems like it could help preserve the environment. I'm not sure I would like to be the one to "pump its gas" however I think this could be very useful.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of a rickshaw in my life. I think this is a relatively good idea though. It gets rid of trash and animal waste in an effective way without using gas which not only costs a lot but also gives off a lot of pollution, also bad for animals. A creative way of conserving energy!!
ReplyDeleteI believe that this can help the Earth with waste and other non recyclables. This is cool that the zoo evented such things. This can probably be used to use for other things to.
ReplyDeleteI think this is very interesting. I had never hear of a rickshaw before. I also think it is gross but will help Earth stay clean I the long run.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I wish more places than just the zoo would do this. It's a great way to save the planet and to save energy. This is kind of gross, but if it actually worked, it could change the world.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really good way to conserve energy and agree with jodi that they should use this in many more places. it will help the world have less waste and stay cleaner than it is now.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a really good idea! This may be able to help with global warming or something. I like this idea and this can help the Earth to use less resources.
ReplyDeleteThis is very cool I never thought of this concept even if I did I'd never figure this would work. All possible jokes that could be made from this discovery aside this is very resourceful as well as revolutionary, the lack of pollution just ingenious. Now the only problem is to fix possible odors.
ReplyDeletethis is very interesting. it is kind of gross but it is a great way to save energy. this could easily benefit our planet. I wish the entire world used this. it'd be fun to know that everything I ate was benefiting someone somewhere even tho it is a little gross
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very good idea. They should use this in a lot more places. This could help Earth be a safer environment.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting idea. This is cheaper and better for the environment. This is a great way to get rid of trash and animal waste. Very good idea!
ReplyDeletei think that this is a very creative idea on a way to conserve enery. i also agree that more places should do this to conserve energy on our planet. this also provides a place for waste and trash to go to instead of places like landfills, etc.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a good idea because we need to stop using fossil fuels and come up with other means to get energy before they run out. This is just a great way to use what they had to make energy and it helps the environment as well. People should come up with more ways to conserve energy, kind of like this one, to help save the planet.
ReplyDeleteFossil Fuels are running out.. fast. We need an efficient alternative and if we can do so and clean up the land mines, that would be amazing. I vote we stop being lazy and take this into consideration!
ReplyDeleteI think that this is very interesting. It is cool that you can use trash for a gas alternative. I think that this could help keep the land more clean.
ReplyDeleteReally neat way to conserve energy. Way better than polluting the air with gas. I think the Rickshaw will spread to other places too.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a really good idea. its a very efficient and helpful way to get rid of waste and to help the environment. I wish this idea would spread to other places.
ReplyDeletei think this is a very useful idea that can change alot of things like help the environment and get rid of waste
ReplyDeleteHow efficient can you get lol. Plus it's no costing and it helps the environment, only thing we need to focus on now is how to use stuff like this for our own personal needs, like powering electricity in our house from our waste.
ReplyDeleteThis is super innovative. Sounds like a dirty job, but an excellent mean to find new energy sources. We need more renewable energy use regardless of what that may mean. I enjoy the innovation that really shows in these types of things. Let other zoos and inventors be inspired by this.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very good idea. The fact that it is very resourceful and better for the enviroment is good. I think it will help earth in the long run.
ReplyDelete