Insect technology revolutionises food waste management for Queensland hospitality sector

Canberra-based eco-innovation company Goterra and Brisbane's Howard Smith Wharves, in a first for Queensland, have unveiled a groundbreaking initiative with the deployment of Goterra's innovative insect technology on-site at the precinct.

This cutting-edge solution, powered by insect technology, revolutionises food waste management at the precinct, marking a significant stride towards a greener and more sustainable future for the hospitality industry.

Goterra, a trailblazing Australian climate tech start-up, aims to mitigate food waste and combat climate change. Their collaboration with Howard Smith Wharves is focused on building the world's most sustainable precinct.

Howard Smith Wharves Chief Executive, Luke Fraser notes "Our core sustainability focus is to ensure that waste generated across our venues is separated, segregated and recycled. We currently divert 96% of waste from landfills by utilising 17 different waste streams.

"By bringing Goterra into our precinct, we are adding another innovative solution to waste streams by harnessing the natural power of insects and transforming waste into fertiliser.

"It's our vision at Howard Smith Wharves to become the most sustainable precinct on the planet. We want to redefine the benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality industry in Australia."

Olympia Yarger, Chief Executive and founder of Goterra shared "Aligning with Howard Smith Wharves is a natural development in our mission. Engaging with sustainability-centric partners enables us to transform waste streams into regenerative by-products.”

Yarger highlighted the gravity of food waste's carbon footprint, which stands at 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring a crucial area for intervention.

Yarger added "Collaborative efforts like this not only address a pressing global issue but also contribute to narrowing the food gap by generating sustainable fertiliser and insect protein.

"Realising a circular economy hinges on our ability to access, reuse, repurpose, or recycle inputs. Goterra's modular, deployable solutions epitomise efficiency in resolving immediate customer challenges while fostering circular economy capabilities.”

The installation at Howard Smith Wharves is a Queensland first, setting a precedent in on-site food waste processing using insects. The sustainability ethos ingrained at Howard Smith Wharves garnered recognition from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, catalysing the collaboration with Goterra through a Sustainability-Linked Loan

Fraser continued "It's of global importance that we reduce our footprint and make informed decisions about lasting environmental impacts. In Australia, with our goal of reaching net-zero by 2050, we must ensure that sustainability is not just a one-off but business as usual. We have an open-door policy to allow the community to experience our equipment and processes in action to inspire wide-spread adaptation of similar practices.”

About Goterra
Founded in 2016, Canberra's Goterra is at the forefront of eco-innovation, harnessing maggot-based robotic systems to unlock organic waste processing. This cutting-edge approach diverts waste from landfills and slashes carbon emissions, achieving a 97% reduction in CO2e. Goterra now operates across six locations spanning four states, bringing its green technology to companies including national retail giant Woolworths. As the firm eyes both national and global horizons, its expansion roadmap for 2024 will deliver cost-effective and sustainable waste management solutions for every industry.

About Howard Smith Wharves
Howard Smith Wharves is Brisbane’s premier cultural and entertainment precinct with a vision to create a vibrant and sustainable hub for all. Located beneath the Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves waterfront home boasts 13 restaurants, cafes, bars, event spaces and a hotel. Along with the multi-awarded Felons Brewery, they are raising the bar on hospitality. Howard Smith Wharves have built a precinct that celebrates Brisbane’s magnetic energy.

Howard Smith Wharves are also leaders in sustainability, with everyday practices setting a new benchmark for the industry. They have been recognised for their leadership in the following:

• Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Excellence in Innovation, Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Practice (2022). 

• Queensland Hotel Association Best Environmental & Energy Efficiency Practice (2021 and 2022).

• The WasteSMART Business Award (50+ employees) (2020).

• The Lord Mayor’s Business Awards.

Image top: Goterra waste management in action; image above: Howard Smith Wharves Chief Executive, Luke Fraser (left) with Goterra's Justin Frank