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sustainability.
PRESERVING
PARADISE Executive Chef Belinda Tuckwell
in the onsite herb garden
Rum Masterclass
Iconic Port Douglas Resort’s Commitment Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
To Responsible Business Practices
BEING WASTE-WISE
WHEN A VISITOR STEPS into Sheraton Grand Mirage Port
Douglas, they may immediately be taken by the palm-lined With 7 unique bars and restaurants and one of Queensland’s most
driveway, the glittering pools and the expansive tropical fertile farming-regions nearby, the resort kitchens are stocked with
grounds. But beyond the impressive façade of Australia’s local, responsibly sourced produce. But green-measures in the
most iconic beachfront resort is a revolutionary sustainability kitchen go beyond lettuce grown on the Atherton Tablelands.
program that aims to help preserve the country’s first eco- The culinary team processes all organic food-waste through a high-
certified tourism destination. output composter. Using a natural enzyme, the machine can transform
200kg of waste a day into a nutrient-rich fertilizer used in the resort
ECO-CHIC ESCAPE gardens which eliminates up to 73 tonnes of landfi ll per year.
Mindful of its location between two UNESCO World Heritage As plastic accounts for almost 80% of the world’s ocean pollution, with
sites, the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, the resort repercussions for people and ecosystems alike, all guest rooms are
minimizes its environmental impact through water conservation, equipped with refillable bottles with filling stations located throughout
energy efficiency, and a reduction in both carbon emissions and the property. Assuming every guest consumes on average two bottles
landfill. of drinking water per day, this initiative prevents an estimated 2 million Filtered water stations
The resort’s long term focus on sustainability made it a finalist plastic bottles a year from entering landfill or ending up in the region’s
fragile marine environment.
in the Tropical North Queensland Tourism Industry Awards for
Sustainable Excellence in 2023.
ELEVATING ENERGY EFFICIENCY
SWIM SUSTAINABLY Not only have the kitchens and laundry facilities been updated with
You may have pictured yourself sipping cocktails poolside, but energy-efficient equipment and appliances, but energy-efficient LED
lights have replaced traditional bulbs throughout the entire property.
what you may not know is that the resort’s pools are one of Even the golf buggies and the resort’s own transport vehicle are electric.
the property’s most impressive sustainability features. Hidden
beneath a grassy hill on the resort’s perimeter is an advanced In fact, EV drivers can charge their own vehicle at one of the Sheraton’s
saltwater harvesting system that sources water directly from the six onsite charging stations.
ocean!
To offset daily water loss due to evaporation, this innovative system CONNECTING FOR CONSERVATION
maintains the pool’s gloriously picturesque water-levels without Locals and visitors can come together to create a positive impact by
reliance on the Douglas Shire’s precious fresh water supply. Using joining a Good Travel with Marriot Bonvoy activity which is a citizen
sea water also eliminates the need for added chlorine, with a salt science project facilitated by the Tangaroa Blue Foundation. It’s
conversion and filtration system, creating safe, swimmable water an impactful morning of collecting, sorting, and cataloguing marine
for guests to enjoy day in and day out. debris found on Four Mile Beach. The findings are placed into the
Water conservation at the resort doesn’t end with the pools – the Australian Marine Debris Database and used to identify problems at
grounds are home to an intelligent irrigation system using ground the source and used by industry and government to create change
and storm water, and all guest rooms are equipped with low-flow on a large scale. Organic waste composter
taps, showerheads and toilets.
EXPLORE MORE
SUNSET SESSIONS The resort’s Virtual Concierge puts all the answers at your fingertips. Not only can you
While the pools are reserved for the use of in-house guests, visitors and learn more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives, you can also make a dinner
locals alike are invited to sip and swim the evening away at the resort’s Sheraton Sunset Sessions reservation, book a High Tea, or sign up for a Sugar Cane Rum Masterclass.
once-monthly Sheraton Sunset Sessions. TIP When visiting be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and you’ll always be ‘in the know’.