The old worm hotel was due for replacement due to intensive use. This hotel, based on an Amsterdam model, has been there since March. Herman: "Not everyone wants their own compost bin, or has the space for one. The worm hotel is located in a spot accessible to local residents where you can easily dispose of your coffee grounds, tea bags, and vegetable and fruit peels. Just close the lid, and you're done!"
A beautiful goal together
With the 16 families who signed up as "hoteliers," there's a lot of engagement. It's easy to chat with the neighbors. "The great thing about it is not just that you get free compost, but also that you get to know your neighbors. You share a great goal. The worm hotel connects," says Herman. "And experience shows that participants throw away less and separate their waste more effectively."
Sustainable waste
Herman is well aware that biodiversity is under pressure: "When I put a shovel in the ground as a child, I saw all sorts of worms, now I hardly see any. By doing something ourselves, we can give nature a helping hand. Less organic waste in the garbage truck also means lower CO2 emissions. This is a simple way to give waste a new, sustainable, and valuable purpose."
Caviar for the garden
The worms work their way up, so compost forms at the bottom. You can watch the worms in action through the viewing window. On average, there's a harvest festival every six months, and they scoop the compost out and divide it among themselves. "Tiger worms produce the caviar of compost," Herman proudly explains. A new feature of this hotel is the container mounted underneath, which collects the worm urine—a top-quality, natural liquid plant food. "I'm curious to see how much is in there now," Herman concludes.
Starting an initiative
Would you also like to start a green initiative? Then take a look at bouwaanhilversum.nl.
