Environmental programs

A focus on recycling and responsible waste management pervades the entire operation of The Kitchens, contributing to a 33% diversion rate of recyclables from landfill for Robina Town Centre.

Key recycling initiatives:

• 168 tonnes of organic waste have been captured for compost instead of landfill since opening, after a partnership with Gold Coast City Council saw The Kitchens become the first food precinct in Australia to establish an organic waste recycling program.
• 11,100 litres of oil have been collected since opening, for reprocessing and reuse as renewable energy.
• 2.3 kilolitres of rainwater have been captured via The Kitchen's rooftop water tank for reuse in the past year, covering more than 90% of the water needed for the Centre for toilets, irrigation and external cleaning.
• More than 6,000 tableware items are washed daily and reused through a bespoke, environmentally-conscious shared tableware program. The centralised cleaning allows for water and energy efficiencies in dishwashing as well as a significant reduction in waste from packaging and disposable dinnerware.

More than 5 tonnes of nutrient dense and flavourful honey have been collected to date via the 36 beehives at The Kitchens that are home to one million bees. Everything harvested from the hives is processed, extracted and bottled naturally at The Kitchens Cooking Stage. This honey is supplied directly to tenants of The Kitchens for use in food preparation, and surplus honey is bottled for sale at The Kitchens.

Other innovative community programs delivered at The Kitchens include:

• School tours: The Kitchens has hosted educational school group tours from six local schools focusing on its innovative waste management facilities. 
• Apprenticeships: The Kitchens continues to facilitate ICON training apprenticeships, representing over 170 local businesses on the Gold Coast.
• Kids in the Kitchen: The Kitchen's ICON Cooking School has had an average of 900 children per school holiday period take part in kids cooking workshops, peaking their interest in preparing fresh and health food.
• Community Hosts: The Kitchens has become the host location for The World's Greatest Shave event.
• Supporting local music talent: More than 100 local musicians, four per week, have taken advantage of the Busk Stop program in The Kitchens, with many of the musicians scoring paid gigs from the exposure at Robina Town Centre.
• Cooking demonstrations: The Kitchen's cooking stage continues to host cooking demonstrations for the public, providing healthy and fresh cooking inspiration. Local Chef Sam Gowing conducts weekly live cooking demonstrations, and ex-Masterchef contestant Georgia Barnes runs a monthly private masterclass.