Zsigmond Mill Inn

The Zsigmond Mill Inn, whose owner is Levente Gal and his wife Timea, has been operating for more than 18 years as a family business in the local tourism sector of Harghita county, in Madaras village.

The mission of the business is
- to familiarise the tourists with the local cultural, natural and built heritage
- to provide services and programmes where they can recognise the strengths our ancestors were helped by in the past and use/apply them in their current lives.

At the same time, it is also important for the Gal family
- to educate the tourists,
- to have tourists experience cultural, natural and geographical values,
- to offer tourists these values in the form of a complex experience - so that they can develop mentally and culturally and to make them reflect about their own lives.

The motivation for starting the business was to set up a lifestyle tourism business, which ensures the necessary family income, but in the same time follows a business model that creates high value for the customer.

Circular Strategy: Loop

Country: Romania

Restoration/Composting

The Inn composts all the food waste from the kitchen and restaurant to generate new soil for planting. This soil is used for growing greens and herbs for use in the restaurant.

The Inn has its own farm to supply the restaurant with greens and livestock, so fresh and nutritious soil is always needed.

Economic impact
Despite having no significant savings throughout the process, owners are convinced that it is the right thing to do.

Social impact
The social impact of the composting processes is educating staff members/collaborators, customers about the importance of composting.

Environmental impact
Improves the quality of soil by adding organic matter. Helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients. Attracts beneficial organisms to the soil and reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers.

Human resources
No specific needs were outlined in this respect.

Financial resources
Given the fact that everything can be done by the staff who already work there, only the staff costs can be mentioned here.

Other resources
The know-how on composting to do everything properly in the process of composting.