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voco buzzing as it ditches plastics

voco Gold Coast is cutting plastic waste by 80 percent in a class-leading demonstration of commitment to community and environment.

The former Watermark Hotel is replacing miniature amenities with large refillable Aveda bottles in its 389 guest bathrooms in the drive to cut plastic waste by 80 percent.

And it has introduced smart-down bedding made from 100 percent recycled materials and replaced plastic water bottles with glass bottles in key areas of the hotel, while also replacing all plastic straws with biodegradable options.

The move is the latest in a series of environmental commitments which put voco ahead of the Australian pack when it comes to going green.

The hotel has a resident beekeeper, for example, who manages more than 300,000 bees accommodated in the penthouse hives on its rooftop. voco uses the honey in its guests’ welcome shortbread, at the breakfast buffet, on its cocktail menu and in bespoke gifts.

“As well as our crusade to reduce our plastic consumption, we have chosen to participate in a green waste program by Gold Coast City Council whereby we recycle all of our food and scrap waste out of all of our kitchens,” said general manager Brenden van Blerk.

“This waste is then turned into garden mulch which the council then uses on the garden beds and in parks and grounds, reducing the amount of water for these public spaces which in turn drives down the council rates charged to residents.

“We have also recently partnered with coffee brand Will & Co to be able to offer amazing handpicked coffee out of our Social House cafe. Will & Co is one of only a few brands that produce a biodegradable and compostable take away cup – so when guests leave the hotel, they know that they’re still doing their part.”

van Blerk says the roll-out of large format refillable amenities is the latest initiative in an ongoing commitment to reducing the impact of its operations on the planet.

“We have been trialling the large bottle amenities for the last 12 weeks and the feedback we’ve received from guests has been overwhelming – guests have loved the concept and been impressed with our sustainability mission,” he said.

“They have also loved the fact that we are using premium beauty brand Aveda.”

Community involvement and and environment care are “key pillars” of the voco brand launched in November last year, says the hotel’s general manager.

“We have been looking at ways to involve our guests and the local community in our sustainability journey and whether it has been through our bees, little notes left in guestrooms asking guests to drink the filtered tap water, or through working with the council on their waste reduction programs, we feel like we are making a difference and it is incredibly rewarding,” he said.

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