Accreditations and Awards
The Ugly Duck Out is very proud of its achievements and recognitions by leading organisations, confirming our position as a leading tourism destination and a leader in sustainable business practices.
Whilst we are reluctant to name and identify all of our achievements, here are a select few that are recent and which we are extremely proud.
Category Finalist
The Ugly Duck Out (TUDO) is proud to announce that we have succeeded in being chosen as a finalist of the 2011 Banksia Environmental Awards – “Leading in Sustainability – Setting the Standard for Small to Medium Businesses”.
Since their inception in 1989, the Banksia Environmental Awards have earned the reputation as the most prestigious environmental awards in Australia. The awards acknowledge excellence, dedication and leadership in various areas that contribute to the environment and a sustainable future. As a finalist, we are amongst a select few who have shown through our submission that we embody what the awards represent.
Earth Check
The Ugly Duck Out has passed the requirements to be recognised as a EarthCheck Assessed Operator.
In addition to having a Sustainability Policy in place, three assessed EarthCheck indicator(s), Energy Consumption, Potable Water Consumption, Waste Sent to Landfill, are at or above the Baseline level.
From the benchmarking data provided, two indicator(s), Potable Water Consumption, Waste Sent to Landfill, are at or above the Best Practice level, which is an achievement to be highly commended.
Improvements in all the EarthCheck indicators will not only help the environment, but can also help reduce operational costs. Due to the positive commitment that The Ugly Duck Out has demonstrated to the environment, the assessors are confident that they can maintain or improve performance, where appropriate and practical, in all indicators.
EPA Small Business Sustainability Award
The Ugly Duck Out has won the Small Business Sustainability in the EPA Awards of Excellence.
The winners for 2011 can be viewed at EPA Tasmania as announced at the Wrest Point Casino on Friday the 03rd of June. The awards attracted a strong field of entries showcasing the latest innovations and sustainable practices in business, this award is a strong endorsement of the effort and ethos of theuglyduckout and the approach developed by Robyn to develop a sustainable business model.
The award presentation booklet can be viewed here to read more about the EPA's award structure, what other businesses are doing and the importance placed on sustainable business practices.
State Winner
THA Award for Best Environmental Practice
On Monday 2nd May the winners of the 2011 THA Awards of Excellence were announced with the state winner for “Best Environmental Practice” being The Ugly Duck Out in Swansea.
Robyn Klobusiak, chef /owner commented,
“Within the restaurant industry we are often focused on the ‘plate’, nevertheless, some visionaries have successfully reintroduced the ‘paddock to plate’ philosophy or in our case, established an ‘ecotarian’ style of dining. Our guests have made it clear that they appreciate fine food and service but not at the expense of the environment or others.”
Having already attained Climate Action Certification through Ecotourism Australia and participating in global benchmarking with Earth Check and Green Tourism Tasmania, Robyn acknowledges the commitment required and the rewards that are available. “Once you open the sustainability box the amount of information and resources available can be daunting…from bamboo and wheat straw paper to compostable vegetable plastics, LED’s to solar lights, ‘gentle’ chemistry to biodynamics, and harvesting to the science of composting. It is impossible to piece this puzzle together in the dark. It is an opportunity to be creative and network with some inspiring people.” “To continue to present fresh and clean fare to our guests we require the source to be environmentally sustainable. Where to start? reduce waste, power and water. Often this simply means introducing new procedures and staff training. Involve employees in the process and watch the staff motivation and profitability improve. The Art of Reducing gives the double benefit of conserving natural resources and financial resources.” “This prestigious award indicates the Tasmanian hospitality and restaurant industry is conscious of the need to minimize environmental impact and has started to understand sustainability …. Think people, planet and profit. It is time to tend our garden building strong, ethical businesses with a bright future.”
The Ugly Duck Out was voted “Favourite Vegetarian Restaurant” in Tasmanian (2009 and 2010) in the largest on-line voting award in Australia. The I Love Food Awards encourages diners to vote for the restaurants they love to visit.
