Vermicomposting /Vermicomposting /Worm CompostingWorm Composting

Presentation 10:Presentation 10:The Composting ToolkitThe Composting Toolkit

Funded by the Indiana Funded by the Indiana Department of Department of Environmental Environmental Management Recycling Management Recycling Grants ProgramGrants Program

Developed by the Indiana Developed by the Indiana Rural Community Rural Community Assistance Program - Assistance Program - RCAPRCAP

VermicompostingVermicomposting

Vermicomposting is more commonly called Vermicomposting is more commonly called “worm composting”“worm composting”

Fruit and vegetable matter waste are eaten by Fruit and vegetable matter waste are eaten by redwormsredworms

The worms produce “castings” that can be The worms produce “castings” that can be utilized as a high quality compostutilized as a high quality compost

1 pound of redworms can eat 4 pounds of food 1 pound of redworms can eat 4 pounds of food waste in a week waste in a week

VermicompostingVermicomposting

RedwormsRedworms

Redworms: Redworms: Eisenia FoetidaEisenia Foetida. The worms most . The worms most commonly used for worm composting.commonly used for worm composting.

Common names: Red wigglers, brandling Common names: Red wigglers, brandling worms, manure worms.worms, manure worms.

In nature redworms live and feed in the leaf In nature redworms live and feed in the leaf litter along the surface of the soillitter along the surface of the soil

Types of Food: The Types of Food: The YESYES List List

Vegetable matter and peelsVegetable matter and peels Vegetables too rotten to eatVegetables too rotten to eat Fruit, rinds, and peelsFruit, rinds, and peels Grains and grain productsGrains and grain products BreadsBreads BeansBeans Coffee grounds and filtersCoffee grounds and filters Tea leaves and tea bagsTea leaves and tea bags Unbleached paper productsUnbleached paper products Egg shells (well ground)Egg shells (well ground)

Types of Food: The Types of Food: The NONO List List

Leftovers heavy in oils, Leftovers heavy in oils, milk products, or any milk products, or any meatsmeats

Meat products and Meat products and bonesbones

Dairy productsDairy products EggsEggs Oily foodsOily foods Salty foodsSalty foods VinegarVinegar

Types of Food: The Types of Food: The CAUTIONCAUTION List List

Banana Peels (They can be Banana Peels (They can be a source of fruit flies)a source of fruit flies)

Pineapple Rinds and Skins Pineapple Rinds and Skins (Very acidic)(Very acidic)

All citrus fruits in large All citrus fruits in large quantities (Acidic)quantities (Acidic)

Small amounts of eggs or Small amounts of eggs or cheese (Leftovers with very cheese (Leftovers with very small amounts of either of small amounts of either of these is okay)these is okay)

Worm BinsWorm Bins

Worm BinsWorm Bins

There are many types of worm bins available for purchaseThere are many types of worm bins available for purchase It is also fairly easy to construct your own worm bin out of It is also fairly easy to construct your own worm bin out of

readily available materials.readily available materials. Bins made of opaque materials are better than bins made of Bins made of opaque materials are better than bins made of

clear materials (the worms prefer darkness)clear materials (the worms prefer darkness)

Worm Bin DimensionsWorm Bin Dimensions

Shallow is better. Remember that redworms Shallow is better. Remember that redworms are surface feeders. A container depth of eight are surface feeders. A container depth of eight to twelve inches is idealto twelve inches is ideal

1 – 2 people:1 – 2 people: 1 ft. X 1½ ft. X 2 ft. bin / 1 lb. worms1 ft. X 1½ ft. X 2 ft. bin / 1 lb. worms

2 – 3 people:2 – 3 people: 1 ft. X 2 ft. X 2 ft. bin / 1 lb. worms1 ft. X 2 ft. X 2 ft. bin / 1 lb. worms

4 – 6 people:4 – 6 people: 1 ft. X 2 ft. X 3½ ft. bin / 2 – 3 lbs. worms 1 ft. X 2 ft. X 3½ ft. bin / 2 – 3 lbs. worms

Look in the Manual for Detailed Look in the Manual for Detailed Construction InstructionsConstruction Instructions

Look in the Manual for Detailed Look in the Manual for Detailed Construction InstructionsConstruction Instructions

This bin is sized to suit a family of four-six people generating about seven This bin is sized to suit a family of four-six people generating about seven pounds of food waste each week.pounds of food waste each week.

Materials:Materials:1½” sheet of plywood1½” sheet of plywood1 12' 2x41 12' 2x41 16' 2x41 16' 2x42 lbs. 6d galvanized nails2 lbs. 6d galvanized nails1½ lb. 16d galvanized nails1½ lb. 16d galvanized nails2 galvanized door hinges2 galvanized door hingesNote: Do not use wood that has been pressure-treated or treated with toxic Note: Do not use wood that has been pressure-treated or treated with toxic preservatives. Non-toxic wood preservatives are available.preservatives. Non-toxic wood preservatives are available.

Tools:Tools:Tape measure, skill saw or rip hand saw, hammer, saw horses, long Tape measure, skill saw or rip hand saw, hammer, saw horses, long straight edge or chalk snap line, screwdriver, and drill with ½” bit. Use eye straight edge or chalk snap line, screwdriver, and drill with ½” bit. Use eye and ear protection.and ear protection.

Examples: Homemade BinsExamples: Homemade Bins

Examples: Pre-built BinsExamples: Pre-built Bins

Worm BeddingWorm Bedding

Worm BeddingWorm Bedding

There are a variety of suitable bedding There are a variety of suitable bedding materials for worm compost bins:materials for worm compost bins: Shredded newspaperShredded newspaper Shredded cardboardShredded cardboard Shredded office paperShredded office paper LeavesLeaves Peat mossPeat moss

Operating A Worm BinOperating A Worm Bin

By following these simple steps the worms will By following these simple steps the worms will take care of the composting process for you.take care of the composting process for you.

Make sure the bin is coveredMake sure the bin is covered Make sure moisture content stays in an Make sure moisture content stays in an

acceptable range: not soaking wet, not too dryacceptable range: not soaking wet, not too dry Bury all new food waste under existing Bury all new food waste under existing

beddingbedding Plenty of airflowPlenty of airflow Do not overfeed wormsDo not overfeed worms

Ideal Conditions For Worm BinsIdeal Conditions For Worm Bins

Temperature needs to be kept within a Temperature needs to be kept within a reasonable range: 40 F to 90 F. Freezing reasonable range: 40 F to 90 F. Freezing temperatures will kill worms as will temperatures will kill worms as will temperatures over 90 F.temperatures over 90 F.

pH needs to be kept in balance. The tendency pH needs to be kept in balance. The tendency is for a bin to become acidic. Add egg shells, is for a bin to become acidic. Add egg shells, crushed dolomite, or crushed limestone.crushed dolomite, or crushed limestone.

Worms prefer the dark.Worms prefer the dark.

Worm Bins: Indoors Or Outdoors?Worm Bins: Indoors Or Outdoors?

As long as the idea conditions are met a bin As long as the idea conditions are met a bin can be either indoors or outdoors.can be either indoors or outdoors.

In Indiana we do not have ideal year round In Indiana we do not have ideal year round conditions for a small scale outdoor worm conditions for a small scale outdoor worm composting bin.composting bin.

Common Problems: OdorsCommon Problems: Odors

Common causes for odor: lack of oxygen, too much Common causes for odor: lack of oxygen, too much water, or generally stinky foodswater, or generally stinky foods A lack of oxygen can be cured by adding more air holes to A lack of oxygen can be cured by adding more air holes to

the bin and regularly turning the bedding when it becomes the bin and regularly turning the bedding when it becomes stinky.stinky.

For too much water, add more bedding and/or hold off For too much water, add more bedding and/or hold off adding more food waste till bin is drier. Wood bins tend to adding more food waste till bin is drier. Wood bins tend to be less wet than plastic bins.be less wet than plastic bins.

There are some foods, like onions and broccoli, that are There are some foods, like onions and broccoli, that are smelly while decomposing. If these odors are offensive smelly while decomposing. If these odors are offensive you might want to eliminate these offending items from the you might want to eliminate these offending items from the bin. bin.

Common Problems: Crawl OutsCommon Problems: Crawl Outs

Worms may crawl out if Worms may crawl out if conditions in the bin are conditions in the bin are wrong to them. Types wrong to them. Types of problems: bin too of problems: bin too acidic, bin too wet or acidic, bin too wet or too dry, atmospheric too dry, atmospheric conditions.conditions.

Be aware that crawl outs Be aware that crawl outs may be sign of a may be sign of a problem needing problem needing resolution.resolution.

Common Problems: Fruit FliesCommon Problems: Fruit Flies

Though fruit flies do not Though fruit flies do not pose a health hazard, pose a health hazard, these little creatures are these little creatures are a nuisance.a nuisance.

Common Problems: Fruit FliesCommon Problems: Fruit Flies

Some techniques to fight fruit flies:Some techniques to fight fruit flies: Bury food waste in beddingBury food waste in bedding Do not overload the binDo not overload the bin Cover food waste with wet newspaperCover food waste with wet newspaper Wash and scrub the skins of fruits and vegetables Wash and scrub the skins of fruits and vegetables

before placing them in the binbefore placing them in the bin Avoid banana peelsAvoid banana peels Don’t let citrus fruit dominate the binDon’t let citrus fruit dominate the bin

End ProductEnd Product

The worm composting process leaves you with The worm composting process leaves you with three usable and sellable products:three usable and sellable products: WormsWorms VermicompostVermicompost Vermicompost TeaVermicompost Tea

Finished compost can be mixed with potting Finished compost can be mixed with potting soil and used for houseplants and patio soil and used for houseplants and patio containers. It is an excellent mulch and containers. It is an excellent mulch and premium soil amendment.premium soil amendment.

Some Markets For WormsSome Markets For Worms

Other start-up Other start-up vermicomposting operationsvermicomposting operations

Bait and tackle shopsBait and tackle shops Businesses that need worms Businesses that need worms

as food for animals:as food for animals: Fish hatcheriesFish hatcheries Pet storesPet stores ZoosZoos Bird or poultry growersBird or poultry growers Frog farmersFrog farmers

Some Markets For VermicompostSome Markets For Vermicompost

Home improvement centers, nurseries, landscape Home improvement centers, nurseries, landscape contractors, greenhouses, garden supply chains, contractors, greenhouses, garden supply chains, grocery chains, flower shops, general public.grocery chains, flower shops, general public.

Some Markets ForSome Markets ForVermicompost TeaVermicompost Tea

Your own house plantsYour own house plants OrchardsOrchards NurseriesNurseries GreenhousesGreenhouses LandscapersLandscapers RetailersRetailers

Harvesting Finished CompostHarvesting Finished Compost

Keep in mind that the redworms hate light. Keep in mind that the redworms hate light. Use this to your advantage.Use this to your advantage.

Place open bin under bright lightPlace open bin under bright light Remove top layerRemove top layer Leave in light againLeave in light again RepeatRepeat

Worm Composting: Any SizeWorm Composting: Any Size

Worm composting can be successfully Worm composting can be successfully conducted as a small, medium, or large scale conducted as a small, medium, or large scale operation.operation.

Larger scale programs have been successfully Larger scale programs have been successfully implemented at institutions such as cafeterias, implemented at institutions such as cafeterias, hospitals, schools and universities, prisons, hospitals, schools and universities, prisons, and military bases.and military bases.

Large Scale Worm CompostingLarge Scale Worm Composting

Large Scale Worm CompostingLarge Scale Worm Composting

Large Scale Worm CompostingLarge Scale Worm Composting

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Thank You!Thank You!

Additional Questions, Comments, or You Additional Questions, Comments, or You Think You Have A Potential Pilot CommunityThink You Have A Potential Pilot Community Please Feel Free to Contact Me:Please Feel Free to Contact Me:

Mark W. DavisMark W. Davis

Technical Assistance ProviderTechnical Assistance Provider

Rural Community Assistance ProgramRural Community Assistance Program

Office: 1-800-382-9895Office: 1-800-382-9895

Wireless: (812) 320-0720Wireless: (812) 320-0720

E-mail: mdavis@incap.orgE-mail: mdavis@incap.org