Somewhere on the grounds of The Delight Hotel in Swakopmund, an unassuming box is quietly transforming kitchen scraps into organic garden compost. Inside, thousands of Red Wriggler earthworms are doing what they do best: eating, digesting, and breaking down food scraps into a powerful natural fertiliser.
The box is an innovative collaboration with GreenPlanet Gardening. At one ton on full capacity, it is the largest box GreenPlanet has produced to date and the first of its kind to be trialled at this scale in an urban hotel setting. The initiative enables The Delight to compost its own kitchen food scraps on-site, turning waste into a resource that will, in time, nourish the hotel’s gardens.
This process, known as vermicomposting, produces worm castings, the nutrient-rich by-product left behind after the worms have processed the food. As scraps are broken down from the bottom up, the fertiliser accumulates in layers. The lowest layer of the box has now fully transformed into a dark, fine, moist material: living soil, ready to support plants growth and enhance soil health. Meanwhile, the worms continue their work closer to the surface, steadily composting new food scraps as part of an ongoing cycle.
For the worms to thrive and compost effectively, specific conditions are required. A dark, moist environment with access to oxygen is essential. When the box is opened during feeding, the worms receive both air and brief exposure to light, maintaining a healthy balance without disturbing their habitat.
Naturally, environments that encourage decomposition can also attract other insects. To manage this, Gondwana Collection’s environmental team, together with The Delight’s compost caretakers, planted a selection of herbs around the vermicompost box. Lavender, basil, rosemary, and mint were chosen for their insect-repelling properties as well as their usefulness in the kitchen. These fragrant plants help deter unwanted pests while doubling as fresh garnishes and added flavour, offering a simple example of nature-based solutions that drive a circular economy.
The worm box forms part of a much broader commitment to responsible waste management. Like all Gondwana Collection lodges, The Delight recycles used batteries with Centratek in Swakopmund, used cooking oil with BEE BioFuel, and used printer cartridges with John Henry Waste Management.
Nearing just over six months since its launch, this pioneering vermicompost project is yielding its first rich harvest and reflects a growing commitment to regenerative tourism. Together, these recycling and upcycling initiatives move The Delight one step closer to a shared vision of zero waste to landfill. It is a goal that requires thoughtful systems, strong partnerships, and a willingness to experiment with new solutions.
The story of The Delight’s vermicompost initiative is a story of regeneration: waste becoming nourishment, challenges becoming opportunities, and small, consistent actions adding up to meaningful change.
Images: Gondwana Collection Namibia