OUR MISSION AND OUR CORE PRINCIPLES
Our mission is to create unforgettable experiences which combine total relaxation and delicious food while showcasing Magnetic Island and its natural beauty.
THESE ARE THE THINGS WE LIVE BY:
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IN AUGUST 2024, WE PROUDLY ACHIEVED EARTHCHECK EVALUATE VERIFIED STATUS
OUR JOURNEY, SO FAR
In 2021 we participated in the EarthCheck program to measure and manage our sustainability practices. Proudly, we are a regional leader in energy consumption, carbon emissions and water usage, with results significantly better than the regional average.
In July 2023, we started our journey with EarthCheck ECO certification and in February 2024 we received the accreditation. In 2024, we continued our journey with EarthCheck and in August 2024 we achieved EarthCheck Evaluate Verified status, meaning that our environmental practices have been verified by an independent auditor.
While this is a great milestone we continue to review and improve our practices and procedures to ensure we are best practice or better.
Here’s a summary of our Environmental Practices at Pilgrim Magnetic Island
Energy & Emissions
• Installed and upgraded solar panels on board Pilgrim to power the fridge, batteries, and other equipment.
• Solar panels also power our storage shed and commercial kitchen for the business which is completely self-sufficient.
• Monitor and record all kilowatt hours of energy used and generated
• Track litres of fuel used in Pilgrim and company vehicles. However most crew use electric bicycle or scooter where possible.
• Monitor water usage when filling Pilgrim’s water tanks.
• Calculate net energy consumption each quarter.
Waste Reduction & Recycling
• ALL food waste on board is recycled in the Magnetic Island’s BioRegen program which converts food waste into soil improver. This saves approximately 1600 litres of landfill per year.
• Eliminated the use of disposable plates, platters, cups, and cutlery post-COVID.
• Switched from bottles to aluminium cans for beer served on board.
• Switched from glass bottles to PET bottles for 70% of our wine served on board. These new bottles are an initiative by Tamburlaine Organic Wines which uses lightweight, space-efficient, and fully recyclable packaging made from recycled materials, significantly reducing carbon emissions in both production and transportation.
• Track the amount of waste generated after every cruise.
• Recycle all wine bottles and beer cans, with quantities measured quarterly.
Sustainable Sourcing & Food Practices
• Serve locally-sourced or homemade seasonal and sustainable ingredients on board, with a focus on organic and biodynamic produce.
• Grow fresh produce at home, including pumpkins for the homemade chutney and herbs which are served on platters.
Certification & Data Tracking
• Winner of the Sustainability Excellence Award at the Townsville North Queensland Tourism Awards in November 2024
• Achieved EarthCheck Certification (August 2024), a globally recognised sustainability benchmark.
• Collect and analyse sustainability data daily and report quarterly.
• Use a carbon footprint calculator from the Queensland Tourism Climate Action Plan to measure impact.
• Committed to continual improvement and long-term accountability through EarthCheck’s renewal process.
We have an environmental action plan in place which includes the following key activities:
In July 2023, we started our journey with EarthCheck ECO certification and in February 2024 we received the accreditation. In 2024, we continued our journey with EarthCheck and in August 2024 we achieved EarthCheck Evaluate Verified status, meaning that our environmental practices have been verified by an independent auditor.
While this is a great milestone we continue to review and improve our practices and procedures to ensure we are best practice or better.
Here’s a summary of our Environmental Practices at Pilgrim Magnetic Island
Energy & Emissions
• Installed and upgraded solar panels on board Pilgrim to power the fridge, batteries, and other equipment.
• Solar panels also power our storage shed and commercial kitchen for the business which is completely self-sufficient.
• Monitor and record all kilowatt hours of energy used and generated
• Track litres of fuel used in Pilgrim and company vehicles. However most crew use electric bicycle or scooter where possible.
• Monitor water usage when filling Pilgrim’s water tanks.
• Calculate net energy consumption each quarter.
Waste Reduction & Recycling
• ALL food waste on board is recycled in the Magnetic Island’s BioRegen program which converts food waste into soil improver. This saves approximately 1600 litres of landfill per year.
• Eliminated the use of disposable plates, platters, cups, and cutlery post-COVID.
• Switched from bottles to aluminium cans for beer served on board.
• Switched from glass bottles to PET bottles for 70% of our wine served on board. These new bottles are an initiative by Tamburlaine Organic Wines which uses lightweight, space-efficient, and fully recyclable packaging made from recycled materials, significantly reducing carbon emissions in both production and transportation.
• Track the amount of waste generated after every cruise.
• Recycle all wine bottles and beer cans, with quantities measured quarterly.
Sustainable Sourcing & Food Practices
• Serve locally-sourced or homemade seasonal and sustainable ingredients on board, with a focus on organic and biodynamic produce.
• Grow fresh produce at home, including pumpkins for the homemade chutney and herbs which are served on platters.
Certification & Data Tracking
• Winner of the Sustainability Excellence Award at the Townsville North Queensland Tourism Awards in November 2024
• Achieved EarthCheck Certification (August 2024), a globally recognised sustainability benchmark.
• Collect and analyse sustainability data daily and report quarterly.
• Use a carbon footprint calculator from the Queensland Tourism Climate Action Plan to measure impact.
• Committed to continual improvement and long-term accountability through EarthCheck’s renewal process.
We have an environmental action plan in place which includes the following key activities:
- Completely eliminate single-use plastics
- Reduce our energy consumption with a focus on increasing our use of solar power
- Increasing our application of sustainable food practices
- Aligning all of our suppliers to our environmental principles
- Educate our guests in environmental aspects which are valued by us.
OUR PRODUCE
Our menu is curated with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship, prioritising local produce to minimize transportation costs and emissions. We maintain close relationships with our suppliers, choosing those who share our environmental and ethical values:
Each of these suppliers contributes to our commitment to sustainability and quality, ensuring our guests enjoy the best while supporting environmentally responsible practices.
- Gallo Dairyland: This remarkable cheese provider from the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns is a family-run business established in 2007. Their dedication to quality and tradition makes them an ideal partner.
- Maggie Island Brewery: Located on Magnetic Island, this nano-brewery is known for its Holiday XPA, a popular choice we're proud to serve onboard.
- Townsville Brewery: Just across the water in Townsville, this brewery is committed to natural brewing processes, avoiding preservatives. We feature their Legends Lager, a local favourite, on our menu.
- Tamburlaine Organic Wines: This family-operated winery from the Hunter Valley, NSW, aligns perfectly with our organic ethos. They focus on producing wines that reflect the terroir while prioritizing environmental health and sustainability. Their wines, which are also vegan-friendly, are a testament to their organic philosophy.
- Pukara Estate: Renowned for its dedication to sustainable agriculture and responsible farming practices.
- Airdale Orchards: Situated in Ayr, they supply an array of fantastic dried fruits. Depending on the season, you can savour these in our platters and non-alcoholic cocktails.
- Mount Zero Olives: With their heritage as biodynamic farmers, Mount Zero Olives are passionate about sustainability and take their passion beyond the production of olives. They are also focused on sustainable packaging, reducing and eliminating their carbon footprint and providing the healthiest and most delicious food.
Each of these suppliers contributes to our commitment to sustainability and quality, ensuring our guests enjoy the best while supporting environmentally responsible practices.
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MinimiSing Waste and Maximizing Resource Efficiency
- We minimise the use of plastic on board - no straws and no single-use bottles. Since December 2020, we have banned single use plastic water bottles, instead we offer complimentary still and sparkling water on every charter.
- On board we use reusable platters and glasses wherever possible. In cases where we use single-use items :
- The paper on platters and our stickers are compostable, FDA approved, 100% FSC certified and printed using water-based inks and part of the Eco-Packaging Alliance.
- Other items are fully compostable and biodegradable or recycled.
- We actively recycle our bottles and cans.
- We sail wherever possible, minimising the use of the engine and hence diesel consumption and pollution.
- Our vessel has solar panels installed for generating power during charters. Similarly, our onshore facilities are outfitted with solar panels, enabling them to generate enough power to be self-sufficient.
