Nestled in the heart of Bedfordshire, England, Wyboston Lakes Resort is more than just a premier business and leisure destination. This 380-acre family-owned property has been welcoming guests since 1983, and over the decades, it has become a shining example of how the hospitality industry can champion sustainability while delivering world-class experiences.
With a long-standing dedication to environmental responsibility, Wyboston Lakes has always looked for ways to innovate. But like many in the hospitality industry, they faced a growing challenge—managing the vast amount of food waste generated on-site. With 1.3 billion tons of food wasted globally each year, the environmental, economic, and ethical costs are significant. For Wyboston, addressing this wasn’t just about reducing costs, it was about living up to their mission of sustainability.
Facing the Food Waste Challenge
Food waste isn’t just unsightly, it’s expensive and environmentally damaging. As the hospitality sector contributes a large share of the problem, Wyboston Lakes took a stand. They wanted a way to not only reduce waste but turn it into something of value. That’s when they discovered Harp Biodigesters. A solution that aligned with their long-term sustainability goals, something innovative, efficient, and impactful.
Implementing the Harp CX2 Biodigester
Turning Food Waste into Fertilizer in 24 Hours
In their pursuit of a greener future, Wyboston Lakes Resort installed the Harp CX2 Biodigester. This fully automated, on-site aerobic digester is capable of processing up to 2,000 litres of food waste per week and converting it into nutrient-rich compost within 24 hours. Equipped with cloud-connected monitoring and load cell technology, the CX2 offers unmatched ease and precision.
Specifications
- Equipment: Harp CX2 with load cells and WIFI Cloud Reporting system
- Waste stream: Restaurant waste
- Capacity: 286 Litres/Day, 5000 Litres/Week, 104,000 Litres/Year
- Estimated CO2 Savings: -1497.2 KgCO2eq (-1.5 Tonnes CO2eq)
The load cells are installed to measure the force or weight of the product. Additionally, the Wi-Fi cloud reporting system enables remote monitoring of the CX2 machine, ensuring efficient operation.
The numbers speak for themselves. Over the course of a year, the resort has processed over 25.5 tons of food waste, saving approximately 1.5 tonnes in CO₂ emissions. With over £6,700 in combined savings on waste disposal and fertilizer purchases, the biodigester delivered an impressive 80% return on investment.
Enhancing the Guest Experience
A Sustainable Gift That Grows
In a creative and heartfelt move, Wyboston Lakes began sharing their sustainability success directly with guests. At checkout, visitors receive a small pouch of the rich, nutrient-filled biofertiliser produced by the biodigester—an eco-conscious souvenir they can use in their own gardens.
This unique initiative not only delights guests but also reinforces the resort’s environmental message, sparking awareness and encouraging composting practices at home. It’s a gesture that’s as meaningful as it is memorable, turning a checkout moment into a conversation starter.
Scaling the System and Expanding the Impact
Encouraged by the success of the initial deployment, Wyboston Lakes plans to expand the biodigester system to all kitchens across the resort. This next phase aligns with their broader goal of achieving a fully integrated and sustainable waste management system throughout the property.
Their commitment to circular economy principles ensures not just immediate environmental benefits but long-term operational excellence and community impact.
By diverting this considerable amount of waste from traditional disposal methods to the bio-digester, we’ve not only reduced our waste disposal costs but also contributed positively to the environment. The installation of Harps bio-digester enables use to convert food waste into valuable compost, effectively circling the waste back into the ground. This process not only enriches the soil but it also supports our broader commitment to sustainability and responsible resource management
A Hospitality Model for a Circular Future
Wyboston Lakes Resort’s partnership with Harp Renewables showcases what’s possible when innovation meets purpose. By transforming food waste into a valuable asset, they have demonstrated a scalable and impactful way to address one of hospitality’s biggest sustainability challenges.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to explore how we can help your business embrace waste recovery and circular solutions, we’re ready to guide you forward. Book a free consultation with our experts today.
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