We are committed to a sustainable future. Our “plant the seed” initiatives, including recycling and reuse programs and composting, can be found at each of our retreats. Some of the key programs include:
Energy Consumption & Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We are committed to generating net zero emissions from our energy by 2030. To work towards this goal, we’re following a plan to understand, reduce, invest, generate and offset our energy usage.
Read our ‘2022 Year in Energy Consumption and Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ report here.
Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre
Opened in 2017 in partnership with the University of Queensland, the Hidden Vale Wildlife Centre at Spicers Hidden Vale is a purpose built facility housing a variety of vulnerable, threatened and endangered species.
The team at the Centre are focused on breeding programs, teaching and research of a range of native animals including koalas.
In-room Amenities
Over the last two years we have moved from using soap bars and small guest amenities bottles (shampoo, conditioner, etc) unable to be recycled in general recycling facilities to large refillable bottles. This transition has reduced our landfill waste contribution significantly.
We are proud to partner with Australian owned and manufactured brands aligned with our own sustainability ethos. Spicers Retreats now provide Leif products and the Scenic Rim Trail provides Perfect Potion products.
At most of our Retreats we provide fresh filtered water in reusable glass bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles.
No Plastic Straws
We no longer provide plastic straws across our entire group. Spicers recognised the devastating effect plastic straw pollution was having on our natural environment so we partnered with “The Last Straw”. By moving to no straws and paper straws we estimate we are saving up to 40,000 plastic straws from entering landfill.
Sourcing Local
Buying local helps to reduce the carbon footprint and food mileage. Additionally, it supports the local farmers, jobs, and community. At Spicers Retreats we pride ourselves on buying locally and supporting the community.
Glossy Black Coffee
Our own coffee brand “Glossy Black Coffee” has been developed to raise awareness and protect the habitat and breeding grounds of the rare Glossy Black Cockatoo (distinguishable by the red window on its tail feathers). The Glossy Black Cockatoo’s habitat is found throughout South East Queensland, including the 20,000 acres of nature refuge the owners of Spicers currently hold.
Ten percent of the proceeds from the Glossy Black Coffee will go towards raising awareness and habitat rehabilitation and protection. This not only protects the Glossy Black Cockatoo but many other species of fauna and flora found within this majestic countryside.
Recycling Waste We Generate
We are committed to finding new ways to reduce the amount of waste we generate, and responsibly managing the waste that we can’t prevent. Where possible, we avoid sending by-products to landfill – most materials are reused or recycled. Our retreats work with suppliers to reduce the amount of single-use packaging we use. We look for opportunities to implement closed-loop solutions.
New waste sorting procedures support recycling of the following items:
- Bottle and can recycling in partnership with Scouts Australia
- Cardboard recycling
- Comingled recycling
- Food waste is composted
- Cooking oil is recycled
- Participant in pod recycling programs
- Recycle all printer cartridges and office supplies across the group
- In-room recycling receptacles so guests can recycle their in-room generated waste
