CITY OF DREAMS MANILA SETS UP VERMICOMPOSTING FACILITY AND GREENHOUSE NURSERY
City of Dreams Manila is undertaking long-term sustainable programs by establishing ecoefficient operations on property, such as vermicomposting and plant propagation at its own herb garden and greenhouse nursery.
City of Dreams Manila started the greenhouse nursery and the ornamental plant propagation in early 2016, and set up the vermicomposting facility in the first quarter of 2017.
Vermicomposting enables the hotel to be self-sufficient in providing organic compost to the ornamental plants used in the resort’s landscape, and in the propagation of existing plants. It also helps in the resort’s waste management by drastically lessening organic wastage from vegetable trimmings, fruit peelings, egg shell remains and used coffee grounds, which are collected and used to feed the worms at the vermicomposting chambers.
The efforts reduce the resort’s expenses for fertilizers and ornamental plants. This sustainable undertaking means a total of P573,374.28 monthly savings on fertilizers, indoor plant rental and landscape maintenance, says Paul Bruce, the property’s director of engineering.
“We are not only known in the business of providing unique experiences, we are also making a mark as a socially and environmentally responsible business,” says Kevin Benning, chief operating officer.
“Together with the proactive participation and spirit of volunteerism of our employees, we are taking bold and forwardlooking initiatives to be agents of change within our organization, the communities we partner with, and for the environment as a whole,” he adds.
Agriculturist and landscape manager Cirilo Alerta who initiated vermicomposting on property, says that on an everyday basis, about 54 kg of used coffee grounds, 20 kg of fruit and vegetable peelings and 2.5 kg of egg shell remains are being gathered from the different kitchens and outlets of the property, and are brought to the vermicomposting area located on the rooftop of the parking building. They produce 346 kg of vermicast and about 433 liters of vermitea a month.
Vermicomposting involves the use of worms in converting organic wastes to produce a potent vermicast, which then can be used as compost. It is far more superior to chemically manufactured fertilizers as it provides more nutrients to the plants.
City of Dreams Manila also started its own herb garden. It’s set to grow herbs such as spearmint, peppermint, coriander, sawtooth herbs, betel leaf, kaffir lime, Thai basil, holy basil, Vietnamese mint and curry tree. When harvested, it can support the properties’ kitchen supply needs.