Cornell University students take top honours at the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge 2024 with groundbreaking ‘PYRO’ Concept

The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) 2024, a Hotelschool The Hague initiative hosted at the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai, has crowned a student team from Cornell University as this year’s Overall Winner for their innovative project, PYRO. The competition adopted a ‘Shark Tank ’-style format, where students pitched their groundbreaking concepts to a panel of 19 prominent industry leaders. The judges were impressed by the creativity and the strong potential for these ideas to be implemented in real-world hospitality settings.

PYRO: A Solution to Food Waste and Sustainable Energy

Cornell University students Francine Aclan, Emma Doherty, and Roodabeh Elavia have sparked industry-wide attention for addressing the dual issues of food waste and excessive wood consumption. The team impressed both the judges and the audience filled with industry leaders with their cutting-edge solution. PYRO uses a scaled-down pyrolysis process to turn food waste into biochar, offering a cleaner, eco-friendly fuel source for grilling. This practical approach not only reduces harmful emissions but also promotes environmental compliance while enhancing operational efficiency in the hospitality industry. The project’s potential was further recognised with the Most Investible Award, highlighting its viability for commercial success.

A pivotal year for SHC: A decade of innovation

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, SHC, a Hotelschool The Hague initiative, has expanded significantly, holding semi-final events across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. This global outreach was made possible by key sponsorships from NEOM, which supports bold ideas and pushes the limits of what’s possible to lead the way toward a more sustainable and forward-thinking future. Additionally, industry partners like The Bench and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, along with new sponsors such as MEWS, Guest Supply, and QUO, have broadened the competition’s influence. Partnerships with WTTC, UN Tourism, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization have also fostered collaboration between the next generation of hospitality leaders and industry stakeholders.

Their thoughts   

“Supporting SHC has been an honour for Mews. We’ve seen an event that brings fantastic innovation, empowering young talent to reshape the future of hospitality,” said Matt Welle, CEO of Mews.
“This challenge not only showcases the future of hospitality but also educates us on sustainable solutions and taking sustainable steps moving forward that can redefine the industry,” added Sonja Allen, Regional Sales & Marketing Manager MENA at Guest Supply.

Recognising excellence across categories

In addition to Cornell University’s success, other educational institutions were also celebrated for their contributions. VinUniversity earned the Most Sustainable Impact Award, and the University of West Indies Mona Campus took home the Most Inspiring Team Award. Meanwhile, the University of West London was chosen as the Public’s Favourite through the first-ever global voting process, with over 5,000 votes cast online. Here’s a glimpse into the student projects that captivated the audience:

• VinUniversity won the Most Sustainable Impact Award with project Dynapath, addressing plastic pollution and renewable energy. Their project involves kinetic tiles made from recycled plastic, generating electricity from footsteps – a novel way to harness human movement for sustainable energy.
• The University of West Indies Mona Campus earned the Most Inspiring Team Award with their fabric concept, PZYLO. This innovative textile, crafted from a blend of Zeolite cotton and Jamaican bamboo cloth, absorbs air pollutants and odours while providing insulation and comfort – offering a multifaceted solution to air purification.
• The University of West London was voted the Public’s Favorite for their project ALGI, a living wall that uses algae to improve energy efficiency and air quality. The algae harness the power of natural processes to enhance sustainability and reduce energy costs, making it a promising innovation for urban spaces.

Each of these projects demonstrates the creativity and forward-thinking approach of the next generation, offering new solutions to some of the hospitality industry’s most pressing sustainability challenges. To explore these concepts further, visit the SHC website at www.sustainablehospitalitychallenge.com

A Glimpse into the future

Beyond the competition, the future of SHC looks promising. Plans are already underway to expand the initiative through incubators and foundations aimed at providing global career and educational opportunities for bright minds. SHC’s co-founders, Paul Griep and Stella van Toor, from Hotelschool The Hague, shared their excitement about what lies ahead:
“While 2024 marks a significant milestone, it’s just the beginning. Our mission is to inspire young minds and open doors for young talent. We continue focusing on bold ideas leading the way to sustainable hospitality.”

Next, the finalists will travel to Perth, Australia, to present their ideas to a distinguished jury at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit. With this exclusive platform, the teams will have a unique opportunity to pitch their concepts to top-tier hospitality and investment leaders, positioning their innovations for potential global implementation.

To follow the journey of SHC and its trailblazing students, visit sustainablehospitalitychallenge.com.

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