Trigon Hotels in Cork is running an initiative to combat food waste and promote sustainability across its two properties, the Metropole Hotel and the Cork International Hotel. The 2024 Food Charter pledges to reduce food waste by 20 per cent, minimise non-organic landfill waste by 15 per cent, and decrease energy consumption by 20 per cent. Aaron Mansworth, managing director, said the initiative was a team effort across both hotels,which were on track to reach their objectives.
“This project is hugely positive for our hotels and the wider food community,” he said. “The charter sets out ten robust commitments aimed at reducing environmental impact while promoting community engagement. Our mission to reduce food waste is achieved through meticulous monitoring and innovative culinary practices like creating no-waste dishes. These goals were decided upon through a combination of environmental concerns, industry standards and community engagement. We recognised the significant impact of food waste on climate change and aligned our practices with sustainability objectives.
We recognise that food waste is a significant contributor to climate change globally, so we focus on seasonality and customise our menus accordingly
“We recognise that food waste is a significant contributor to climate change globally, so we focus on seasonality and customise our menus accordingly. Ingredients used in our food are sourced from Cork, and other parts of Ireland, and meat dishes are fully traceable to the farmer. Likewise, seafood served in both hotels is sustainably caught and delivered daily to our kitchens.”
Mansworth said Trigon Hotels’ goal was to embrace new ways of doing things for guests who took a greener view of how the properties could be run, without compromising on quality.
“These changes are part of our daily working life and make us proud to play our part in helping the environment. From the executive team right through to our trainees, we take pride in playing our part in taking a more sustainable approach to our guest’s experiences. We meet monthly to establish and monitor our ‘green actions’ to ensure that we are on the trajectory to achieve our goals with a pledge to eliminate single-use plastics, decrease energy consumption by 20 per cent in our kitchens, and harbour a unified and achievable goal of making a difference.”
By prioritising seasonality and supporting local suppliers, Trigon Hotels hopes not just to reduce each building’s carbon footprint but also encourage and promote a wider awareness in the neighbouring community.
“We already work closely with the Cope Foundation, a Cork-based charity which aims to enhance and support the lives of children and adults with intellectual disability or autism,” he said. “Our food charter draws on one of our successful projects with the Cope Foundation, and that is our Cope Garden within their centre. The garden grows flowers, fruits and vegetables, which are used by our kitchen teams and mixologists. #
“This is a great way to showcase how we are utilising what we grow and nurture in our menus and drinks. Because we already have a number of Cope team members from the Ability at Work programme within the hotels, and the Cope team maintain and manage the gardens, there is a great continuity in what we are doing to achieve the targets within our food charter, promote a more green and sustainable lifestyle, and encapsulate a strong community spirit.”
Trigon Hotels is already set for a busy summer season with the Metropole Hotel and the Cork International Hotel catering to a steady influx of Irish-based and international guests. Winners in the ‘Best Workplace Diversity Strategy’ category at the HR Leadership and Management Awards, Trigon Hotels has also been named one of Ireland’s Menopause Workplaces of Excellence in 2023, as well as receiving the ‘Great Places to Work’ accolade.
“It’s an exciting time of the year for us, for both hotels, as we meet new and returning guests keen to experience what Cork city and county has to offer,” said Mansworth. “Each property has its own set of attractions. The Metropole Hotel is an iconic building, located in the heart of the Victorian Quarter in the city centre. It opened in 1897 and counts Walt Disney, Ella Fitzgerald, and Charlie Chaplain, among its famous guests. The Cork International Hotel is a vibrant offering close to the airport, the city, and as a base for families or newcomers to Cork wanting to explore the county.”