Ecology
We see ecology as the embedding of human life within nature's universal process; we strive for partnership with the elements, the land surrounding us and its inhabitants – the animals and plants. Nature is not something that is there to be used or exploited; it has a soul and comes from the same source as we do.
Our ecological work is guided by the principles of permaculture. Permaculture is a planning system for sustainable life and use of land. It is based on three ethical principles:
- Caring for nature – Restoring the health of nature
- Caring for the human – Nourishing the self, the clan and the community.
- Sharing on a fair basis – Living simply to allow others to simply live
We are engaged mainly with the following issues:
- Water: We have our own spring on site and since 1992 we process our wastewater in our own plant-bed sewage system.
- Soil: The soil on our site is mainly sand, which is nutrient poor and has very low water retention. For many years we have successfully increased the humus content by using organic materials (e.g.mulch) and by planting green fertilizers.
Energy: Since 1992, ZEGG has a wood-chip-fired heating plant: that woodchips are a locally sourced sustainable resource which ensures our energy supply is CO²-neutral. Since 2011 we are in the process of remodeling our heating and energy system. We built tree natural gas fired co-generation plants, a new woodchip boiler, a log boiler and 250m² of solar warm water panels. We are also installing new pipes for the transport of the heat to the buildings. All this will lower our energy loss considerably. About 85% or our heat needs are from renewable resources and CO² neutral. We are planing to substitute the use of natural gas with Biogas in order to reach 100% renewable resources for our heating needs soon.
Our electricity comes from the three co-generation plants, 24 kWp Photovoltaic cells since 2005, more Photovoltaics in June 2011 and clean Greenpeace Energy. This brings us to about 85% of self sufficiency in electricity and 100% use of renewable sources.
- Plants: The woodlands around us are predominantly pine plantations; since 1995 we gradually change this into a more native mixed woodland. As well as this we are planting „edible" park and garden landscapes around our buildings. These and our organic garden provide us and our guests with fruit and vegetables.
- Building: We prefer utilizing sustainable and regional building materials (e.g. wood and cob) and experiment with new developed materials. For many years we have put a special effort in a better heat insulation of our buildings. This can help us to save up to 80% of energy. Since 2007 we have built doors and windows ourselves.
- Sustainability: In the long run we would like to see the establishment of a sustainable economy in our region. We are working together with individuals and projects from the surrounding area to develop regional economic and resource cycles. This includes food production as well as decentralised energy supply from biomass, the use of regional construction materials and recycling.
Food: Meals in the ZEGG kitchen are vegetarian or vegan (this doesn't mean that all members are vegetarian). The majority of the ingredients are organic, from our garden, from the region, or they are „Fair Trade" products. Our food policy is a political decision, taking into account both the social and ecological implications of our food and luxury purchases.
Detailed information can be found in a booklet on ecology and sustainability which can be ordered for € 5,- (plus postage) from Ramona´s bookshop at ZEGG. www.ramonasbuchladen.de
Or download here:
Ecology and Sustainability.pdf (1.30 Mb)
New Energy Conzept ZEGG 2011: Neues_Energiekonzept-kompakt.engl.pdf