
The result of this delicate ambience is a stink-free, pest-free worm utopia. That, and just the right balance of humidity, airflow, carbon matter, darkness, and temperature (between 5 and 25 degrees celsius). What’s important is that the worms can’t escape and pests can’t get in. While these impressive structures are truly something to marvel at, don’t be intimidated - an old plastic bucket works too. They’re designed to be eye-catching and to spark conversation among neighbours. These large, bell-shaped structures that resemble a beehive are made from a durable, natural pressed material called eco-board. You can find them in all shapes and sizes, but the most common are those supplied by the Amsterdam municipality. He explained that worm hotels don’t come in just a one-size-fits-all model. It’s a chance to socialise, work together, and do something good for the environment.ĭutchReview spoke with Arie Machgeels van Ziel, architect and composter from Wormenhotels, for the low-down on the Dutch vermiculture craze. Often, neighbours manage the hotel together, sharing in both the maintenance and rewards.

Under the right conditions, they produce rich compost that can be added to any garden. They’re each home to several kilos of tiger worms, earthworms, and red dung worms, and food waste from around 1,500 households (in Amsterdam alone!). Worm hotels are composting containers generally about two metres high. READ MORE | Dutch households are wasting less food! What are worm hotels? A worm hotel located in Amsterdam West. They’re the hot new project that’s bringing neighbours together all throughout the Netherlands. Worm hotels offer an optimistic alternative to traditional throw-away culture, proving that household waste can become gardening gold. They bring nature to the city and are rife with opportunities for education and community-building. Worm hotels are everything urban composting should be: easy to use, accessible, compact, and community-oriented.
WURM HEALTH CALCULATOR FULL
And if that’s news to you, you’ll be very surprised to hear that Amsterdam is full of these slithering food waste retreats. Your apple cores and eggshells check-in for a several-month stay and then leave refreshed and ready for their new life as a nutrient-rich fertiliser. Surprisingly, it’s actually the worms that are running the hotel, and your food waste is the guest.

Worm hotels - if you don’t already know what they are, I know what you’re probably imagining: a place for sleepy-eyed worms to check-in for the night after a long day of travelling. And the unsung hero behind it all? Worms. So far its effectiveness in addressing food waste has only been surpassed by its social benefits. Community-composting is taking off in the Netherlands.
