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PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering
Introduction Environmental Review
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, located at 3 Upper The environmental impact of seafood shell waste in the
Pickering Street, is a Singapore-based property development hospitality industry is significant and multifaceted. Improper
and investment company, operated by the Pan Pacific Hotels disposal of shells contributes to pollution and habitat
Group with approximately 100 staff. The hospitality industry, destruction in marine ecosystems. By implementing recycling
particularly hotels and restaurants, generates significant and repurposing strategies, ParkRoyal Collection can mitigate
amounts of organic and inorganic waste. Among these, seafood
shell waste, including oyster shells, crab shells, lobster shells, these impacts and promote healthier ecosystems.
and clam shells, poses a unique environmental challenge.
These shells are often discarded in landfills, contributing to Seafood shells are primarily composed of calcium carbonate,
greenhouse gas emissions and the underutilisation of valuable which can be processed into various products such as
biomaterials. The project aims to implement innovative eco- fertilisers, abrasives, and even bio-based plastics. The recycling
solutions that not only reduce waste but also repurpose of seafood shells not only reduces landfill contributions but
by-products into useful resources, contributing to a circular also offers economic benefits through the creation of new
economy. revenue streams.
Seafood shell waste is a significant by-product of the The proposed eco-solutions align with sustainable practices
hospitality industry, often discarded in landfills or returned observed in the industry. For instance, the use of shells in
to the ocean, causing environmental degradation. In
Singapore, most seafood shells from restaurants and hotels construction materials can enhance the sustainability of
are incinerated before landfill disposal, even with food waste building practices by reducing reliance on virgin material. This
digestors. However, recent research highlights the potential of approach is particularly relevant given that shell waste is still
repurposing seafood shells to reduce environmental impact. orders of magnitude less than the yearly calcium carbonate
Companies like Iberostar Hotels & Resorts aim for 100% demand, indicating significant potential for sustainable
responsible seafood sourcing by 2025. utilisation.
The team has proposed to PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering Furthermore, the project addresses the issue of food waste in
to transform seafood shell waste into valuable resources the seafood industry. According to the Food and Agriculture
through four eco-friendly solutions. These include converting Organisation (FAO), there's an estimated production of 25
shells into: million tonnes of shellfish in 2021, with shell waste potentially
1.Powder for candle holders and bouquet souvenirs using
treated cooking oil as candle wax approaching 10 million tonnes each year. By repurposing this
2.Developing abrasive detergents for utensils waste, ParkRoyal Collection is contributing to the reduction of
3.Producing modified cement for construction repairs a significant global environmental issue.
4.Creating food seasonings from processed shells.
By repurposing waste, ParkRoyal Collection promotes The project also aligns with the concept of a circular economy
sustainability, reduces landfill contributions, and creates in the seafood industry. As highlighted by the Iceland Ocean
potential revenue streams. Their holistic approach Cluster, there's a growing emphasis on zero waste in seafood
demonstrates how innovative solutions can transform waste side streams. ParkRoyal Collection's initiative extends
management, encouraging other hospitality businesses to this concept to shell waste, demonstrating leadership in
adopt similar eco-conscious practices. sustainable practices within the hospitality sector.
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