Sustainable Practices in Action

Reusable Alternatives

To reduce single-use plastic, the college distributed 100 reusable water bottles to students at the beginning of the academic year 2024/2025. The college’s restaurant also encourages students and staff to opt for reusable cups by charging a cup levy of €0.20 for single-use coffee cups.

Too Good To Go Initiative

Our kitchen lecturers introduced a new program where surplus food is shared with students every Wednesday and Friday, helping to minimize food waste and promote resourcefulness.

Find out more about how you can get involved in this initiative here

Food Waste Technology with Positive Carbon

All first-year students were introduced to a food waste monitoring system in our kitchens, developed in partnership with Positive Carbon. This AI-powered system tracks waste and provides insights for reducing food loss, aligning with our sustainability goals. Through analysis of the data students can identify problem areas and formulate solutions for surplus therefore reducing our food waste. This system underpins our commitment to sustainability within the college and the hospitality industry by exposing the managers of the future to best practice.

Watch our video here

Learn more about Positive Carbon 

On-Campus Herb Garden & Polytunnel

At Shannon College of Hotel Management, sustainability is not just a concept — it’s practiced daily. Our culinary lecturers maintain a herb garden and a polytunnel on campus where they grow fresh produce used in the daily preparation of lunch for students and staff.

This hands-on approach:

· Reduces the college’s carbon footprint by sourcing ingredients locally.

· Provides students with practical experience in sustainable food production.

· Reinforces the importance of fresh, seasonal, and responsibly grown ingredients in hospitality.

The garden and polytunnel serve as a living classroom, connecting theory with practice and inspiring future chefs and managers to incorporate sustainable sourcing into their careers

Inclusive Renovations

In 2024, building upgrades focused on wheelchair-accessible entrances and bathrooms, ensuring inclusivity for all members of our college community.