Skyline Queenstown abolishes single-use cups

September 12, 2019

Attractions / Environment /

In an effort to reduce its environmental footprint, Skyline Queenstown has culled the use of single-use cups throughout its operations.

The initiative will see a potential 160,000 takeaway cups diverted from landfill each year. Guests can no longer purchase a single-use cup and either need to bring their own cup or purchase a reusable glass cup for a discounted price of $8.00.

Skyline is retailing the high-quality glass cups for less than cost price through its Market Kitchen café. Customers who order a coffee with their Skyline cup purchase receive $1.00 off any coffee, as do customers who bring their own cup.

Skyline Queenstown Operations Manager for Hospitality and Development Pierre Poyet is delighted to say goodbye to takeaway cups, commenting "this initiative is another step in reducing the impact of single-use plastics on our environment and a way for us to contribute to a more sustainable future.

“We are constantly exploring ways that we can reduce our impact on the environment and this is definitely one of the big ones - 295 million cups are estimated to go to landfill in New Zealand each year and we all need to do our bit to diminish this.”

Skyline Queenstown removed all single-use cups from the premises on 1st September and the company is set to sell out their first order of 100 reusable cups within the next week or two.

As an alternative option to purchasing a reusable cup, Skyline may also introduce a “boomerang” cup programme in the future, where customers are loaned a cup for a nominal fee, which is reimbursed on return of the cup.

The abolishment of takeaway cups has been well received by staff and customers and Skyline hopes to further reduce its use of other plastics in the coming months.

Poyet advised "the next items we are hoping to tackle are our smoothie, sushi and salad containers.

“We are currently looking into better ways to serve takeaway meals - we’re committed to finding an intelligent solution that meets our guests’ food and beverage needs as well as looking after our planet. These are all small steps in making a big difference.”

Skyline Queenstown General Manager Wayne Rose hopes the company will inspire other local tourism businesses and cafes to follow suit, adding “Skyline Queenstown has a long history of innovation and we are committed to minimising our impact on the environment.

“Sustainable development is very important to us and we continue to investigate and implement new ways to preserve our region and the long-term future of tourism in Queenstown.”

Image: Skyline Queenstown General Manager Wayne Rose and Skyline Queenstown Operations Manager for Hospitality and Development Pierre Poyet with Skyline’s new reusable cup.

22nd August 2019 - Australian Turf Club to end single-use beverage plastics for Everest Carnival

17th August 2019 - Ekka showbag sellers face pressure to reduce single-use plastic

25th July 2019 - Skyline Queenstown launches Night Luge experience

19th July 2019 - Gisborne theatres join global ‘BYOBottle’ campaign

14th June 2019 - Auckland Zoo launches scheme to eliminate single-use coffee cups

3rd June 2019 - ROLLER provides software solution for Skyline Enterprises Luge operations

30th April 2019 - Zoos Victoria ban all single-use plastics

18th March 2019 - Plastic drinking cups removed from Sydney Showground

12th September 2018 - Spark Arena rolls out Zero Waste Strategy

2nd May 2017 - Queenstown’s Skyline Enterprises appoints new Chief Executive

3rd June 2016 - Skyline Queenstown announces major development plans

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.