I was intrigued when I saw the Tweet flash across my screen – vermicomposting at Fairmont Sonoma. I thought it was either a funky new spa treatment that I just had to know about or a luxury hotel actually getting involved in some green stuff. Luckily, it was the latter.

Vermicomposting is the art and science of composting with worms. Fairmont Sonoma is located close to wine country in California. Sonoma itself is a very earth-friendly community that is home to people who like to live in harmony with nature. The resort’s Green Champion, Melissa Attanasio guided the construction of the 3’ x 3’x 14” worm bin near the employee parking lot. The bin is expected to take care of 128 pounds of organic waste on a monthly basis and produce one of the best soil amendments for the hotel garden – worm castings.

Since receiving Sonoma County’s Business Environmental Alliance 2008 Best (Green) Practices Award, the hotel continues to look for innovative ways to stay earth-friendly and live in harmony with nature. Luxury is about as synonymous with “eco-friendly” as George W. Bush is with world peace, but the luxury hospitality market seems to be changing that in response to customer demand. Fairmont, Delta, and nearly all players in the luxury hotel market seem to have eco-initiatives under away that go far above the “leave your towels on the floor if you want them washed” signs. More to come in future posts.

Tags: fairmont sonoma, green hotels, vermicomposting, what is vermicomposting, worm castings

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