Going Circular - A Soil Food Collaboration with Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa and Wilding & Co
Going Circular - A Soil Food Collaboration with Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa and Wilding & Co
In June 2021, the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa commenced their onsite dehydration processing of the food waste that is produced from its signature restaurant Wakatipu Grill. One year on the programme has not only delivered landfill diversion to a circular economy but has also provided Soil Food for conservation projects.
Previously collected for composting at a local Worm Farm which had to cease operation, approximately 150kg of food waste per day is still being diverted from landfill and is now converted into nutrient-rich Soil Food™. As the dehydration process reduces the waste volume by 80%, the amount collected from site has decreased significantly improving collection and transport costs and emissions.
The Soil Food™ is donated to Wilding & Co who collect it to mix with compost as part of their Waste to Wilderness initiative. The enriched compost is used on local farms and conservation projects including the Taramea Community Garden and the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust.
The team at the Hilton have been fully engaged in the Soil Food™ programme, and over 40 team members have volunteered with the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust. By helping with tree planting the team have had hands on experience of their food waste circular economy, and this greater understanding has increased engagement with other sustainability efforts.
The Soil Food Programme is a great demonstration of the Triple Bottom Line benefits of a circular economy, and how it can positively impact the planet, prosperity, and people.
Click to find out more about the fantastic conservation work of Wilding & Co and the Taramea Community Garden and Whakatipu Reforestation Trust.
Read about how the Hilton is reducing it’s environmental footprint by 2030 here.
Our Partners on this Project
