Elements Eatery, located within the Yawa Aquatic Centre on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, is celebrating the reduction of annual landfill waste by more than four tonnes thanks to their savvy waste reduction measures.
Operated in partnership with Belgravia Leisure, the venue has not only doubled down on their sustainability initiatives, but is also promoting healthy eating with an 80 per cent ‘green’ menu, and has a renewed focus on community, regularly hosting ‘Community Connect’ education sessions.
These initiatives are a part of an integrated sustainability, wellness and community engagement model throughout Element’s operations, which are supporting broader community wellbeing outcomes for patrons, says Tracey Flemming, Elements Owner & Operator.
“We want people to enjoy this beautiful, award-winning venue where people feel welcome to connect on a regular basis.”
Leading sustainability initiatives on the Mornington Peninsula
Waste reduction measures form a core part of day‑to‑day operations at Elements. Between 20 and 40 kilograms of compostable kitchen waste is collected weekly and sent to community partner, Gadara Farm, for use in gardens and to feed animals.
Used coffee grounds account for a further 70 to 100 kilograms per week which are bagged and made available to customers, supporting nitrogen replenishment and pest reduction while also reducing landfill by more than four tonnes a year.
Additional diversion measures include the collection and reuse of plastic milk bottles. Tracey continued:
“Bottle tops are donated for local school activities, with an estimated minimum of 7,260 tops collected annually. Our bottles are returned directly to our supplier, First Dairy Co during deliveries. That equates to a minimum of 10,920 containers recycled per year.”
The venue is plastic-savvy and doesn’t accept single‑use packaging for food products. The use of refillable coffee cups is incentivised, through discounts and loyalty rewards; fresh food and beverage deliveries arrive in reusable crates; and cardboard is either returned to suppliers or recycled.
“All of these practices contribute to an estimated 60 per cent reduction in delivery‑related waste, compared with standard café operations,” added Tracey.
Alexia Morgan, General Manager Environment and Sustainability said actions like these align with the broader sustainability focus across the company.
“Delivering organisation wide environmental targets comes down to local action. We’re proud Elements is driving real, positive change on the Mornington Peninsula, benefitting the wider community.”
Elements’ 80 per cent “green” menu promotes healthy eating
The café’s menu structure prioritises fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, offering vegetarian, vegan, gluten‑free and dairy‑free options. Ingredient transparency and portion control are built into the menu, with seasonal changes used to maintain supply flexibility and nutritional balance.
Community sessions engaging patrons in health and recreation
Elements Eatery hosts regular Community Connect sessions and engagement activities, including monthly health, wellbeing and sustainability seminars, book exchanges and awareness days, contributing to social connection and overall wellbeing.
“These seminars have shown increased customer visitation during traditionally off‑peak trading hours, higher food and beverage transactions and higher awareness of local community initiatives,” said Tracey.
Elements’ open layout and location within the aquatic venue has positioned it as an informal meeting point for families, seniors, fitness users and team members.
Elements Eatery is part of Belgravia Leisure’s broader hospitality offering across Australia and New Zealand, alongside venues like The Grasslands at Yarrambat Park Golf Course, The Grass Lands Café & Bar at Point Walter Golf Course, Carnaby’s Bar & Restaurant, Te Rourou Café within Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa and Hepburn Pavilion Café at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa.
Across the portfolio, hospitality teams help create welcoming spaces that support community connection, events and memorable guest experiences.
As Yawa celebrates its 5 year milestone in July 2026, the solid partnership continues to function as intended; collaborative and delivering value to the broader Mornington Peninsula community.
