One of Singapore’s most well-known luxury hotels is growing vegetables and fish on its own rooftop in a novel aquaponic farm.
The Singapore Fairmont hotel has operated in the small island state since 1986, but recently took its sustainability efforts to a new level by establishing the first rooftop aquaponic farm on a Singapore hotel. The farm was opened in October last year and is expected to yield and estimated 2,200kg of vegetables and 350kg of fish every month once fully operational.
Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics that involves growing plants without soil, using only fish waste as fertiliser. It employs a closed, circular system that channels the waste from living fish to fertilise plants, which in turn filter and clean the water for the fish. The process is highly efficient, saving resources and reducing the need for land and water.
Over 40 varieties of herbs and vegetables are growing in various beds and towers on the rooftop, whilst around 16,000 tilapia fish are also being raised. Farm management plans to plant and harvest in waves to ensure a constant supply of fresh fish and produce.
The farm is wedged between the Fairmont and its sister property Swissôtel The Stamford, and currently supplies five of the hotels’ 13 food outlets. The hotel has also reduced food waste by selling leftovers at discounted rates, donating to local food charities and using a digester to process any remaining into water and compost.
Positive Action
- For advice on how to deal with food scraps at your own home or workplace, check out our information page on Recycling Near You.
- If you want to get the little ones involved, why not try our Fun & Easy Gardening Tips for Kids.
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Positive Environment News has been compiled using publicly available information. Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.