Eco Friendly Hotel

Wormery Information – Vermiculture:

'Vermiculture' literally means worm growing or worm farming. When earthworms are used primarily for the production of compost, the practice is referred to as vermicomposting. Earthworms are truly amazing creatures that hold vast potential for addressing many of our current ecological concerns, including climate change and food security. Perhaps surprisingly, this is not breaking news. Earthworms aerate, till and fertilise the soil, breaking down organic waste into plant-available forms, improving the soil structure and nutrient and water-holding qualities of soil. In the past 50 years in particular, the use of chemical fertilizers, over-tillage of the soil and the use of pesticides have killed earthworms and other beneficial organisms, leading to poor soil fertility, loss of soil structure and soil erosion. At the same time, rotting organic waste dumped in landfills is polluting our underground water supply and releasing vast amounts of the ‘greenhouse gasses’ responsible for global warming. Earthworms eat organic waste and give us healthy soil and organic fertilizer in return. Put simply, it is a deal that humanity cannot afford to pass up.

Some earthworm facts:

As worms move through soil and decaying organic matter they ingest (eat) and aerate it, depositing castings as they go. These castings are rich in nutrients and beneficial soil organisms. Inside the gut of one worm there are enzymes and masses of bacteria and microbes. While fertile soil has in the region of 5-million microbes per gram, worm castings have been found to contain up to 100-million microbes per gram - up to 20 times more! In the soil, these microbes continue break down organic matter into plant-available forms, thereby enabling plant roots to take up nutrients that would otherwise have stayed bound in the soil. Not surprisingly, it is these very microbes that play a major role in determining soil fertility, so it is ironic that earthworms are the very creatures that are killed by inorganic fertilizer applications. While we have been taught that bacteria are 'bad', the vast majority of bacteria are not pathogenic to humans, in fact many are beneficial and essential to sustaining the processes of life. As long as the decaying organic matter is maintained at the correct pH and prevented from becoming anaerobic (when there is too little oxygen), no foul odours are created, pests are not attracted and the process remains hygienic. It is only when the pH is out of balance or the decaying organic material becomes anaerobic that pathogens and toxin-producing bacteria begin to proliferate, and pests are more likely to be attracted. Researchers have identified and named thousands of distinct species of earthworm, but to date only around six have been identified as useful in vermiculture systems. These species have the ability to tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions and fluctuations and they are not adversely affected by handling and disruption of their habitat. Eisenia foetida and Lumbricus rubellis are the earthworm species most commonly used in vermiculture. Both are referred to by a variety of common names, including red worms, red wigglers, tiger worms, brandling worms, and manure worms. These two species are often raised together and are difficult to tell apart. Waste is not an unavoidable consequence of our urban-industrial systems; it is created (or not created) by how we choose to structure our economies and urban-industrial systems. Short term capitalism and our ongoing reliance on the reductionism approach to problem solving generate "externalities" - the shifting of the actual costs of decisions to other parties and the environment. Waste and environmental destruction are a direct result of these "externalities" and unless we accept that that these concepts are not sustainable, they will have dire consequences for our future well-being.

Waste Disposal, Recycling, Waste processing, Waste minimisation and Kitchen waste:

Hotel Izulu is currently utilising all of its organic waste and is producing some 20 litres of worm tea a week from approximately 22,000 worms. Recycling, water and electricity saving: Aside from light bulbs changed throughout the Hotel, new eco-friendly showerheads have been installed in the bathrooms, saving the hotel a massive 50% in water consumption and energy bills each and every month. Not only do they save money but the new showerheads offer guests a spa like experience second to none. Solar heating has over the years become more refined and this was the next phase -to lighten the load on the electricity grid and save resources for the hotel and the busy laundry department.

Hydroponics system:

The latest phase was the introduction of a hydroponics system to grow more vegetables and herbs for the restaurant. The first crops were Waterblommetjie and Watercress.

Spa:

Even in the award-wining Impilo spa guests see signs of caring for the body with healthier, natural products rather than chemical based creams, oils etc. In 2009 the spa introduced a new range of products and treatments called TheraVine from Stellenbosch.

Gigi’s Restaurant:

Aside from the organic herbs and vegetables being grown, all the meat used is from free-range farms and certified hormone free. All chocolate used is sourced from organic producers. Bread is made daily on the property using only organic flour.