Five-star trash is set to become priceless treasure as Newcastle’s Crystalbrook Kingsley partners with University of Newcastle in a new sustainability drive.
In a bid to reduce its waste, the city’s first five-star hotel will allow researchers from the Hunter’s main learning hub to rummage through its rubbish to address the environmental impact of the hospitality industry.
Crystalbrook Kingsley will be donating restaurant and bar waste to the University of Newcastle’s Food Science Research Group.
The University will examine the hotel’s used products, such as citrus peel, ground coffee, fruit pulp and skin and other food waste and investigate how these items can be upcycled into the likes of coasters, beverage stirrers and complimentary guest items.
Crystalbrook Collection CEO Geoff York said the collaboration with University of Newcastle offered an exciting opportunity.
“This partnership will see the development of practical solutions that reduce our environmental impact, while also introducing strategies that can be adopted worldwide,” he said.
Crystalbrook Kingsley Environmental Scholarship will be offered annually to University of Newcastle students with a passion for waste utilisation.
Co-lead of the project Dr Taiwo Akanbi said the collaboration was consistent with a circular economy idea whereby waste products were kept in use while reducing environmental footprint.
“It will also create timely innovation that puts Australian waste utilisation research at the forefront internationally,” he said.
In March Crystalbrook Collection became Australia’s first hospitality group to introduce 100% waste-free bathroom amenities across its portfolio.
The group that boasts a recycling program that includes glass, cardboard and co-mingled products, also sources 80% of its produce from within a three-hour drive of its properties, minimising transport pollution.
Wooden guest room key cards and upcycled coat hangers also feature within its recycled products list.
Further details on the scholarship will be released by the University in coming weeks.
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