The concept of an eco-lodge, which has defined Kuwera since the construction phase—where only local materials and labor were used—continually drives us to seek new solutions to increase environmental sustainability.

For years, waste from our kitchen, balanced with garden foliage, has been collected in a handmade composter in the vegetable garden and later used as fertilizer for our crops. While composting is beneficial for the environment and the production of natural soil, it has one major drawback, especially for us living in an area with a significant presence of wildlife: it attracts various animals with all the imaginable consequences.

Particularly damaging is the visit of the elephant, a symbol of grandeur and wisdom that holds an important role in Sinhalese culture. However, its massive size means that, while crossing cultivated lands, it can destroy an entire harvest and months of work in a single night.

In search of an alternative to compost without giving up the use of natural fertilizers, we discovered Eco Tech Base, a company specializing in sustainable solutions, which introduced us to a biogas plant.

The plant, installed near the kitchen, consists of a series of “digesters” where daily kitchen waste (up to 20 kg per day) and garden waste (up to 5 kg per day) are fermented and then transformed into biogas for cooking and into fertilizer.

With this new system, we have solved the compost issue, obtaining an excellent liquid and odorless fertilizer that allows us to continue organic farming without resorting to chemicals. At the same time, a first stove powered by self-produced biogas has been installed in the kitchen, with plans to add more in the future to minimize the use of gas cylinders.

A small initial investment has resulted in numerous environmental benefits:

• Transforming organic waste into a valuable resource, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
• Producing sustainable thermal energy, leading to a reduction in LPG consumption.
• Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Another small but significant step forward toward environmental sustainability.