Owens Corning goes to the zoo

A handful of Owens Corning manufacturing facilities are working with Hose2Habitat to repurpose discarded building materials into habitats for animals at zoos and sanctuaries.

There's potential for habitat enrichment in fire hose, brushes and cardboard, which can be used as toys and feeding tools.

“The number of items we have identified that can benefit animal enrichment keeps growing,” said Michele Mazza, energy and waste reduction program manager, Owens Corning. “These items have gone to landfills for years, but we are excited that they can now be put to good use. An important sustainability goal at Owens Corning is to eliminate waste to landfill, and Hose2Habitat is helping our facilities pursue that goal.”

There are 10 Owens Corning facilities in North America that are currently donating manufacturing items to zoos and sanctuaries, including facilities in Ontario, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.

“Owens Corning was instrumental in Hose2Habitat growing from a regional program that donated fire hose into an international nonprofit facilitating the donation of many different types of materials to zoos around the world,” said Lisa Daly, executive director, Hose2Habitat. “We are humbled by and grateful for the support that Owens Corning and its employees have shown for our program.”

“Items such as sweeper brushes, cardboard tubes, buckets and bags are some of the many items we receive from Owens Corning,” said Jodi Carrigan, keeper at Zoo Atlanta. “These donations support enrichment and better the lives of our animals.”

The partnership has been in place since April of last year, converting Owens Corning fire hoses into hammocks for felines, feeders for lemurs and balls for bears; sweeper brushes into scratching posts for rhinos; and cardboard tubes are now tossed around for enjoyment by camels.