In brief
Cathay Dining says it has launched a redesigned warewash system at its Hong Kong flight kitchen, adding equipment to separate inbound food waste from general waste for recycling. The company reports that the facility increases its food waste recycling capacity by 200%; collected waste is sent to O·PARK for processing. The system also separates stripping and washing, with washers operating when equipment reaches a specified threshold. Cathay Dining estimates that, under current operating conditions, the replacement system can cut electricity use by up to 70% and water use by nearly 60% compared with the former system. Multi-purpose washers and a separate sorting process are also intended to improve machine use. The company says it has added anti-slip flooring and upgraded lighting and ventilation to support workplace safety.
Key takeaways
- Cathay Dining says the redesigned system raises food waste recycling capacity by 200%.
- Collected food waste is sent to O·PARK for anaerobic digestion and electricity generation.
- The company estimates electricity use could fall by up to 70% and water use by nearly 60%.
- Equipment sorting and flexible washers are intended to improve machine utilisation and workplace operations.
Introducing a redesigned system to support the recycling of inbound food waste and reduce utility consumption
May 30, 2025 -- Cathay Dining, a subsidiary of the Cathay Group and a leading flight kitchen, proudly announces the launch of its newly redesigned warewash system, becoming the first airline caterer in Hong Kong to support the recycling of inbound food waste.
This significant investment underscores Cathay Dining’s dedication to sustainability and operational excellence, demonstrating Cathay’s pursuit of leadership in these areas.
"We are proud to lead the way in sustainable practices and operational excellence within the inflight dining industry," said Cathay Dining Chief Executive Officer Agatha Lee.
“By reducing utility consumption and featuring an innovative food waste segregation design, this new system future-proofs operations and enables us to meet the evolving needs of our customers with a focus to sustainability – highlighted by the recycling of inbound food waste.”
Setting a New Benchmark in Food Waste Recycling and Utility Consumption
With the introduction of the new inbound food waste collection and recycling facility, Cathay Dining has increased its food waste recycling capacity by 200%, demonstrating its commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation in waste management.
The new design features dedicated conveyors and compactors that segregate food waste from general waste. The collected food waste is transferred to the Organic Resources Recovery Centre (O·PARK) nearby for anaerobic digestion and electricity generation. The O·PARK facilities can process up to 500 tonnes of food waste daily, generating surplus electricity capable of powering approximately 8,000 households annually.
As a significant step towards reducing utility consumption, the newly designed system separates the stripping and washing processes. The washers operate only when the equipment reaches a pre-defined threshold, optimising the utilisation of washers and minimising unnecessary operation.
According to the warewash system specifications, handling capacity, and operational requirements before and after the system replacement, the new system is estimated to achieve notable utility savings, with up to a 70% reduction in electricity consumption and nearly a 60% reduction in water use under the current operating conditions compared to the old system.
Advancements in Operations and Workplace Safety
The new system comes as the solution to one of the most common challenges in the industry - dynamic demands of equipment washing.
In the new system, multi-purpose washers can handle different types of equipment simultaneously, offering a greater adaptability and flexibility of warewashing. Combined with a separate equipment sorting process, the newly designed system achieves over a 20% increase of machine utilisation.
Complemented by dedicated equipment washers and meal cart washers, Cathay Dining provides a comprehensive and reliable solution for its customers.
At the heart of Cathay Dining’s operations is our strong commitment to creating a safe working environment for employees.
With the installation of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) flooring, which features anti-slip properties, along with upgrades to the lighting panels and the ventilation system, the risk of slips and falls is significantly reduced. These improvements ensure a safer workplace and foster a more productive environment for the team.
Cathay Dining’s proactive approach to sustainability and operational excellence reinforces the Cathay Group’s goal of being a leader in the industry. By implementing innovative solutions, Cathay Dining demonstrates a holistic approach that benefits its team, customers, and addresses the environment impacts associated with our operations.
For more information about Cathay Dining, please visit www.cathaydining.com .
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At a glance
- Company
- Cathay Dining
- Announcement
- Product
- Location
- Hong Kong
Key figures
- Increase in food waste recycling capacity
- 200%
- O·PARK processing capacity
- up to 500 tonnes of food waste daily
- Households O·PARK surplus electricity can power
- approximately 8,000 households annually
- Estimated electricity reduction
- up to a 70%
- Estimated water-use reduction
- nearly a 60%
- Increase in machine utilisation
- over a 20%
People
- Agatha LeeCathay Dining Chief Executive Officer
