The newly opened Crystalbrook Kingsley, Newcastle city’s first five-star hotel, has partnered with University of Newcastle and its researchers to drive sustainability and reduce waste.

The hotel’s trash will become the university’s treasure, as together, they address the environmental impact of the hospitality industry and drive innovation in sustainability.

Crystalbrook Kingsley will donate 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.

“The collaboration with University of Newcastle is an exciting one for Crystalbrook Collection. As we continue our commitment to sustainability, this partnership will see the development of practical solutions that reduce our environmental impact, while also introducing strategies that can be adopted worldwide.” Geoff York, CEO of Crystalbrook Collection.

Also for the next four years, an annual Crystalbrook Kingsley Environmental Scholarship will be granted to University of Newcastle students with a strong passion for waste utilisation. Each year, the student awarded the scholarship will also have the opportunity to work directly with Crystalbrook Kingsley to implement world-leading hospitality environmental practices.

Details on the Scholarship and how students can apply will be released by the University in the coming weeks.

“We are very excited about Crystalbrook Kingsley’s generosity and commitment to our students

through scholarships. We look forward to seeing our students develop and the innovative environmental solutions that come from this relationship between our two organisations,” University of Newcastle Director of Advancement Ms Rebecca Hazell said.

The University of Newcastle, Australia has been named #1 in the world for partnering for a more sustainable future in the 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

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,” Dr Taiwo Akanbi said.

Crystalbrook Kingsley’s collaboration with the University of Newcastle on sustainability helps to reiterate the portfolio’s commitment to minimising environmental impact, while also assisting to elevate the capabilities and profile of the local region.

The hotel’s partnership is the most recent sustainability focused initiative at the five-star hospitality group, which in March became the nation’s first to introduce 100% waste free bathroom amenities across its portfolio through a partnership with Vanity Group.

Crystalbrook Collection continues to build on an extensive recycling program including glass, cardboard and co-mingled products. The hospitality group sources 80% of its produce from within a three-hour drive of its properties to minimise transport pollution and uses recycled products where possible such as wooden guest room key cards and upcycled coat hangers.