From Olives to Tigers: How Our Barrels Found a Wild New Life

Here at Olives Et Al, we’re all about reuse, repurpose, and making sure nothing goes to waste — not even our trusty olive barrels. Once they’ve done their job bringing in the good stuff, we like to give them a second act.

Usually they end up being used as water butts or something less than glamorous.  Recently, however, some of our barrels set off on quite the adventure. Instead of heading to the recycling pile, they’ve been donated to Dartmoor Zoo via our friends at SUEZ Waste — and they’re now playing a starring role in the daily life of none other than Dragan the tiger.

Yes, you read that right. Dragan, Dartmoor’s resident big cat, has adopted our humble barrels as part of his enrichment programme.

Barrels With a Purpose

So, what exactly do olive barrels do for a tiger?

1. They’re filled with food, transforming mealtimes into a hunt-like challenge. They're about the same size as a wild boar or small deer which are common prey for tigers, they're very solid and bouncy and they have similar colourings to themselves.
   
2. They roll, clatter, and resist being torn apart (at least for a while), keeping Dragan entertained and active.
3. They provide mental stimulation — because even tigers get bored without a good puzzle.
4. They still smell of olives and everyone knows tigers love a good olive!  We think it may have been mentioned in the Tiger who came to tea? 'He ate all of the olives in the deli counter'.

For us, it’s a perfect example of how simple, everyday objects can be reused in surprising and meaningful ways. For Dragan, it’s just a brilliant new toy (with snacks hidden inside, of course).

Dragan is a magnificent Amur tiger with a big personality and an even bigger appetite. Like all animals at Dartmoor Zoo, his welfare is top priority — which means enrichment is essential. Our barrels are helping him flex those hunting instincts, stay sharp, and have a good play while he’s at it.

Watching him bat, roll, and pounce on a barrel that once carried olives is proof that sustainability can be fun, practical, and, in this case, pretty awe-inspiring.

Small Changes, Big Impact

We’ve always believed in reusing wherever possible — and seeing our barrels given a wild new purpose makes us roar with delight (pun fully intended). By working with Dartmoor Zoo and SUEZ, we’re not only reducing waste but also helping support animal welfare in a hands-on, tangible way.

Our olive barrels have swapped the Mediterranean for Dartmoor, olives for enrichment snacks, and kitchens for tiger enclosures. And honestly? We couldn’t be prouder.

So next time you’re tucking into a jar of our olives, just remember: those barrels could one day be keeping a tiger very, very happy.