Hyatt Regency Sydney, Australia’s largest hotel at 878 keys, is taking a lead on food waste by becoming the first hotel in the world to introduce an insect-powered food waste management system by Goterra onsite.

Created by Olympia Yarger, the innovative system utilises Black Soldier Fly larvae, housed in high-tech, containerised units dubbed ‘Maggot Robots’, to rapidly break down large quantities of food waste, reducing it by 95% in just 24 hours.

With its high room count, four popular food and beverage venues and 4,000sqm of meeting and event spaces that can cater to up to 1,000 guests, the hotel is faced with thousands of tonnes of food waste each year.

Black Soldier Fly larvae can rapidly break large quantities of food waste, reducing it by 95% in just 24 hours

This practical approach will play a significant role in reducing the hotel’s carbon footprint and environmental impact, setting a new standard for sustainability initiatives in the hospitality sector.

“When you manage food waste with insects, you radically reduce the impact it has on the world,” said Yarger.

“Using insects in tandem with industrial robotics means we manage waste efficiently, producing a sustainable protein that can be used in agricultural supply chains, creating a truly circular system.”

In further efforts to drive a more sustainable supply chain, the insect protein produced from this process will be provided to the hotel’s key egg supplier, Hilltops Free Range, as a feed mix alternative.

The insect protein produced at the end of the cycle is used to feed chickens at the hotel’s key egg supplier

“By transforming our food waste into sustainable protein for agricultural use, including suppling to our own egg supplier, Hilltops Free Range to feed their chickens, we are creating a circular economy,” said Hyatt Regency Sydney General Manager, Jane Lyons.

“This initiative aligns perfectly with our ongoing efforts to consider sustainability in all aspects of our operations.”

Hilltops Free Range will benefit from the introduction of the Goterra system

Hotel owner M&L Hospitality has been a key driver in the introduction of the system and a promoter of collaboration in combating climate change.

“Our partnership with Goterra underscores our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility,” said M&L Hospitality Executive Director, Jocelyn Kum.

“We are proud to lead the way in sustainable food waste management in the hospitality industry.”