23292 version 1
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Describe and evaluate homemade and commercial vermicomposting
units for domestic composting
Level
2
Credits
5
Purpose
This unit standard is for people working in, or who wish to work in resource
recovery vermicomposting. People credited with this unit standard are able
to describe and evaluate homemade and commercial vermicomposting units
for domestic composting.
Subfield
Resource Recovery
Domain
Composting
Status
Registered
Status date
23 April 2007
Date version published
23 April 2007
Planned review date
31 December 2012
Entry information
Open.
Accreditation
Evaluation of documentation by NZQA.
Standard setting body (SSB)
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated)
(MITO)
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference
0114
This AMAP can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Special notes
Definitions
Optimum environment includes moisture content, feedstock, drainage, aeration,
temperature, covers, and microbiology.
Types of vermicomposting units may include but are not limited to – revolving drums or
‘tumblers’ enclosed cylinder bins, bins, orbs, drums, windrows.
Vermicomposting refers to a mixture of vermicast and unprocessed organic matter; it may
also contain worm capsules and small worms. The term may also apply to a mix of
vermicast and composted material.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
23292 version 1
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A vermicomposting unit is made up of a bed in which worms are placed, and worm cast
and (depending on the type of unit) liquid fertilizer is produced. The bed may include a
combination of – of aged manures or composted materials, shredded paper products,
decomposing leaves, straw, soil, vegetable or fruit discard materials.
Elements and performance criteria
Element 1
Describe and evaluate homemade and commercial vermicomposting units for domestic
composting.
Performance criteria
1.1
The advantages of each type of homemade domestic vermicomposting unit are
evaluated in terms of the optimum environment required for a worm bed.
Range
1.2
The specifications of domestic composting units are described in terms of the
optimum environment required for vermicomposting units.
Range
1.3
depth, surface area, location, drainage, covers, aeration.
Commercially available vermicomposting units for domestic use are described
in terms of their types.
Range
1.4
evidence is required of three types.
evidence is required of four types.
The advantages of each type of commercially available vermicomposting unit
are evaluated in terms of the optimum environment required for a worm bed.
Please note
Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated
authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against
unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register
credits from assessment against unit standards.
Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards
must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this
standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The
AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations
wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for
tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated) (MITO)
info@mito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016