The Pledge on Food Waste

First restaurant in Canada to be certified by The PLEDGE on Food Waste!

We are thrilled to announce that Pendray Tea House, located in Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour, is the first resturant in Canada to achieve Gold Level certification from The Pledge on Food Waste, scoring an impressive 93%.

The Pendray Tea House, sister property of the Huntingdon Hotel & Suite's, is setting the standard for sustainable dining in Canada, proving that dedication to reducing food waste can yield significant rewards for both the environment and the business. As a Biosphere, 4 Green-Keys, and BC Green Business certified property, our enchanting Pendray Inn and Tea House is dedicated to sustainability, prioritizing environmental stewardship and community well-being while delivering an exquisite guest experience.

Commitment to Sustainability and Food Waste Reduction

The PLEDGE on Food Waste is a globally recognized, third-party audited certification and benchmarking system designed to combat food waste, reduce costs, and support the local ecosystem of solution providers. The certification’s methodology, based on seven pillars and 95 criteria, aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals and the EPA's Wasted Food Scale, focusing on preventing and diverting food waste from disposal.

Pendray Tea House’s journey towards certification began in January and culminated successfully in June. A dedicated committee, collaborating with BetterTable.ca, a Vancouver-based company specializing in food waste prevention for hotels and restaurants, spearheaded the project. Together, they developed and implemented effective strategies to meet The PLEDGE on Food Waste standards.

Innovative Practices and Remarkable Results

Throughout the certification process, here at the Pendray Tea House we adopted numerous best practices, including categorizing food waste measurements, maintaining meticulous tracking systems, developing an action plan with measurable goals, benchmarking progress, and providing comprehensive team training. Our talented Chef Onille Pitogo’s creativity was instrumental in repurposing prep waste into new culinary items, such as the Sustainable Chocolate Cashew Delight. 

Despite the challenges of establishing new procedures and systems, the rewards have been substantial. In January, the average food waste per cover at Pendray Tea House was 83 grams, already significantly below the national average of 388 grams per cover. By May 2024, this figure had decreased to 60.5 grams per cover, a remarkable 27% reduction, translating to an estimated $550 in savings for the month of May alone.

A Proud Moment for Pendray Tea House

Our General Manager Erin Cassels expressed great satisfaction with the team’s achievement, stating, “I have immense pride in our team’s hard work and dedication as we celebrate becoming the first restaurant in Canada to achieve The PLEDGE on Food Waste certification. This milestone reflects our commitment to sustainability and a brighter future for our planet. Our values align with the eco-friendly ethos of Destination Greater Victoria, who continue to set a high standard for a circular tourism economy within our community. We look forward to continuing our company’s overarching mission to incorporate environmental stewardship and sustainable hospitality practices within our business model.”

A Commitment to a Greener Future

The benefits of Pendray Tea House’s efforts extend beyond immediate cost savings. The reduction of food waste contributes to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and economic efficiency. In an era of climate change and uncertainty, Pendray Tea House is committed to making a positive impact and inspiring others to follow suit. The restaurant is honoured to lead by example as Canada’s first PLEDGE-certified restaurant.