Grand Copthorne launches food waste recycling project

Prisca Ang, The Business Times AsiaOne 20 Apr 15;

SINGAPORE - The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, one of Millennium & Copthorne's (M&C) five properties in Singapore, has partnered the National Environment Agency (NEA) to launch a food waste recycling pilot project.

Under NEA's 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) funding scheme, the hotel has purchased the latest model of the Eco-Wiz Wet System food for S$108,870.

Installed and tested on-site in November last year, the food waste digester can handle up to one tonne, or 1,000 kg, of food waste per day.

By using enzymes to accelerate the decomposition process, the machine converts waste into compost and nutrient-rich liquid for discharge into the sewage system.

Grand Copthorne's management aims to recycle at least 35 tonnes of food waste per month. It will use the 14,000 litres of water produced by Eco-Wiz monthly to water plants and wash common areas on its hotel grounds.

The machine saves the hotel nearly S$3,000 a month on disposal charges and water usage.

Grand Copthorne received the BCA Green Mark Gold Award in 2011. Certified a Water Efficient Building by the Singapore Public Utilities Board (PUB), it is also the first hotel in Singapore to achieve the Gold status for water efficiency.

The project is part of Singapore-owned M&C's commitment to reduce, re-use and recycle materials across its 120 hotels worldwide.

M&C is the London-listed subsidiary of City Developments Limited (CDL). Both M&C and CDL are members of the Hong Leong Group of companies.