MCEC puts sustainability on the menu at BBC Earth Experience

November 24, 2023

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) - home of the renowned BBC Earth Experience - has launched Habitat Café, offering visitors a sustainable dining experience inside the exhibit.

Melbourne is the second city globally to host the awe-inspiring BBC Earth Experience and is the only place in the Asia-Pacific region where visitors will be able to experience this extraordinary attraction.

As a leader in sustainability, MCEC aims to inspire others in the event industry to make conscious choices for a greener future, aligning perfectly with the messaging of the BBC Earth Experience.

After immersing themselves in the captivating journey through the seven continents of the world, visitors can indulge in a delicious range of sustainable drinks and snacks at MCEC’s newly launched Habitat Café.

The menu has been thoughtfully curated to ensure that each item is responsibly sourced, supporting local Victorian suppliers and reducing emissions from transportation.

Even the café furniture has been carefully sourced with durability in mind, offering visitors a complete eco-friendly dining experience.

Visitors can enjoy carbon-neutral coffee, served in an edible cup. The edible cups are made from locally sourced oats and grains, and designed by Good-Edi, a Melbourne start-up on a mission to prevent single-use cups from ending up in landfill.

Good-Edi was discovered through MCEC’s industry partner, The Startup Network, demonstrating the strength of both organisations to foster collaboration and innovation.

Habitat Café also features Circle Harvest snacks made from insect protein, the fastest-growing alternative protein in the world.

Paul Kanaan, Head of Food and Beverage at MCEC said Habitat Café extends the themes of the BBC Earth Experience, providing visitors with a complete sensory experience.

Kanaan shares “when designing the menu for Habitat Café, we had to think a bit differently, providing sustainable options that visitors could grab-and-go after seeing the BBC Earth Experience. The innovative menu and dining experience showcases the creativity and expertise of our team and our ongoing commitment to sustainability.

“MCEC has a strong philosophy of supporting local suppliers and highlighting Victorian ingredients in all our menus, and we are proud to continue this with Habitat Café.”

For those wanting to extend their stay, Goldfields Café + Bar in the main foyer also features a new menu, sourcing the best local produce to reduce transportation and in turn reduce CO2 emissions.

Menu highlights include sustainably farmed barramundi, zero-waste hand-cut fries, free-range chicken and delicious bowls packed full of seasonal veggies.

Visitors can show their BBC Earth Experience tickets to receive 10% off their meal at Goldfields.

The launch of Habitat Café and the new Goldfields menu marks another milestone in MCEC’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation.

Samantha Ferrier, MCEC Sustainability Manager said as one of the leading sustainable convention centres in Australia, the BBC Earth Experience aligns perfectly with their goals and enthused “MCEC is thrilled to be the home of the BBC Earth Experience, showcasing our shared values of sustainability and environmental awareness. We’re proud to work closely with the BBC team to understand the emissions footprint of the entire experience and minimise its environmental impact.”

MCEC’s recently launched Impact Report highlights their achievements towards environmental sustainability.

Last financial year, they reduced their CO2 emissions by 19% from their 2019 baseline, diverted 26,000 single use coffee cups from landfill and delivered 17,476 meals for those in need through their partnership with OzHarvest, rescuing 8,738kg of food from landfill.

Find out more about the BBC Earth Experience and MCEC’s sustainability commitments.

BBC Earth Experience
Location: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf
Opening hours:
Monday 10:00am to 7:30pm
Tuesday 10:00am to 7:30pm
Wednesday 10:00am to 8pm
Thursday 10:00am to 8pm
Friday 10:00am to 8pm
Saturday 9:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday 9:00am to 7:30pm

Tickets at www.ticketmaster.com.au/bbc-earth-experience-tickets/artist/2929485

6th September 2023 - Live Nation Australia collaboration to deliver BBC Earth Experience for Melbourne

21st December 2022 - MCEC events contribute over $383 million to the Victorian economy

15th December 2022 - Peter King’s decade-long legacy celebrated by industry and MCEC

26th August 2022 - MCEC to host 20th anniversary of Victorian Sustainability Awards

19th August 2022 - MCEC partnership with Skyfarm urban farmers sees significant food donations to charity OzHarvest

10th March 2022 - MCEC announces move to ‘Break the Bias’ with new internships for women

18th February 2022 - MCEC’s Peter King releases open letter on the future of conventions and events

8th May 2019 - Melbourne Skyfarm plan to transform MCEC car park

19th February 2018 - MCEC looks forward to cleaner and greener future

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.