Cinnamon Lodge launches ecological initiative

Sells bags of compost to eco-friendly guests

In the wake of awareness about the environment over the past few years, many businesses and industries have adopted eco-friendly measures, focusing on recycling, energy efficiency and other areas of conservation. From reusing paper to giving assistance to environmental activities and agencies, these corporate responsibility measures have spanned the length and breadth of the sphere of conservation, creating a culture where responsibility does not simply stop with educating oneself but also giving the gift of awareness to other stakeholders. The hospitality industry is no exception to this practice, as many hotels and tour operators have embraced eco-tourism.

Against this backdrop, Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana recently launched a simple but original initiative as an environmentally friendly gesture: selling 5 kg and 10 kg packs of compost to both its visitors and guests, as well as those of the neighbouring Chaaya Village, Habarana.

Sold at Rs.100 and Rs.180 respectively, the compost is made up of the garden waste collected from the two hotels, along with farmyard manure, crop residue, dolomite and top soil, in order to improve its quality. “The preparation of the compost was started a few years ago”, said Sarath Wickremasinghe, Manager, Cinnamon Lodge. “The idea occurred to us because of the large amount of garden waste collected from the two hotels; Cinnamon Lodge and Chaaya Village; on a daily basis: around 750kg to 1,000kg of dried leaves each day ! We have the capacity to produce 1,000kg of compost each month.” Two large pits (approximately 20’x 20’x10’ in size) were then prepared in which to allow the leaves to decompose. The dried leaves are left in these pits for a total period of six months. Meanwhile, separate compost pits have been prepared for the purpose of the two hotels and the vegetable plots.

Commenting on the initiative, Director, John Keells Holdings, Sumithra Gunesekera said, “This is excellent opportunity, not simply to utilise the garden waste from the two hotels, but also to give our guests an opportunity to participate in our ecological practices. In the process, we also hope that we can drive home the message of recycling and reusing; principles that we try to adhere to.