Vermicomposting /
Worm Composting
Presentation 10:
The Composting Toolkit
Funded by the Indiana
Department of
Environmental
Management Recycling
Grants Program
Developed by the Indiana
Rural Community
Assistance Program RCAP
Vermicomposting
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Vermicomposting is more commonly called
“worm composting”
Fruit and vegetable matter waste are eaten by
redworms
The worms produce “castings” that can be
utilized as a high quality compost
1 pound of redworms can eat 4 pounds of food
waste in a week
Vermicomposting
Redworms
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Redworms: Eisenia Foetida. The worms most
commonly used for worm composting.
Common names: Red wigglers, brandling
worms, manure worms.
In nature redworms live and feed in the leaf
litter along the surface of the soil
Types of Food: The YES List
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Vegetable matter and peels
Vegetables too rotten to eat
Fruit, rinds, and peels
Grains and grain products
Breads
Beans
Coffee grounds and filters
Tea leaves and tea bags
Unbleached paper products
Egg shells (well ground)
Types of Food: The NO List
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Leftovers heavy in oils,
milk products, or any
meats
Meat products and
bones
Dairy products
Eggs
Oily foods
Salty foods
Vinegar
Types of Food: The CAUTION List
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Banana Peels (They can be a
source of fruit flies)
Pineapple Rinds and Skins
(Very acidic)
All citrus fruits in large
quantities (Acidic)
Small amounts of eggs or
cheese (Leftovers with very
small amounts of either of
these is okay)
Worm Bins
Worm Bins
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There are many types of worm bins available for purchase
It is also fairly easy to construct your own worm bin out of
readily available materials.
Bins made of opaque materials are better than bins made of
clear materials (the worms prefer darkness)
Worm Bin Dimensions
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Shallow is better. Remember that redworms
are surface feeders. A container depth of eight
to twelve inches is ideal
1 – 2 people:
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2 – 3 people:
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1 ft. X 1½ ft. X 2 ft. bin / 1 lb. worms
1 ft. X 2 ft. X 2 ft. bin / 1 lb. worms
4 – 6 people:
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1 ft. X 2 ft. X 3½ ft. bin / 2 – 3 lbs. worms
Look in the Manual for Detailed
Construction Instructions
Look in the Manual for Detailed
Construction Instructions
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This bin is sized to suit a family of four-six people generating about seven
pounds of food waste each week.
Materials:
1½” sheet of plywood
1 12' 2x4
1 16' 2x4
2 lbs. 6d galvanized nails
1½ lb. 16d galvanized nails
2 galvanized door hinges
Note: Do not use wood that has been pressure-treated or treated with toxic
preservatives. Non-toxic wood preservatives are available.
Tools:
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 and ear
protection.
Examples: Homemade Bins
Examples: Pre-built Bins
Worm Bedding
Worm Bedding
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There are a variety of suitable bedding
materials for worm compost bins:
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Shredded newspaper
Shredded cardboard
Shredded office paper
Leaves
Peat moss
Operating A Worm Bin
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By following these simple steps the worms will
take care of the composting process for you.
Make sure the bin is covered
Make sure moisture content stays in an
acceptable range: not soaking wet, not too dry
Bury all new food waste under existing
bedding
Plenty of airflow
Do not overfeed worms
Ideal Conditions For Worm Bins
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Temperature needs to be kept within a
reasonable range: 40 F to 90 F. Freezing
temperatures will kill worms as will
temperatures over 90 F.
pH needs to be kept in balance. The tendency
is for a bin to become acidic. Add egg shells,
crushed dolomite, or crushed limestone.
Worms prefer the dark.
Worm Bins: Indoors Or Outdoors?
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As long as the idea conditions are met a bin
can be either indoors or outdoors.
In Indiana we do not have ideal year round
conditions for a small scale outdoor worm
composting bin.
Common Problems: Odors
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Common causes for odor: lack of oxygen, too much
water, or generally stinky foods
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A lack of oxygen can be cured by adding more air holes to
the bin and regularly turning the bedding when it becomes
stinky.
For too much water, add more bedding and/or hold off
adding more food waste till bin is drier. Wood bins tend to
be less wet than plastic bins.
There are some foods, like onions and broccoli, that are
smelly while decomposing. If these odors are offensive
you might want to eliminate these offending items from the
bin.
Common Problems: Crawl Outs
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Worms may crawl out if
conditions in the bin are
wrong to them. Types
of problems: bin too
acidic, bin too wet or
too dry, atmospheric
conditions.
Be aware that crawl outs
may be sign of a
problem needing
resolution.
Common Problems: Fruit Flies
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Though fruit flies do not
pose a health hazard,
these little creatures are
a nuisance.
Common Problems: Fruit Flies
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Some techniques to fight fruit flies:
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Bury food waste in bedding
Do not overload the bin
Cover food waste with wet newspaper
Wash and scrub the skins of fruits and vegetables
before placing them in the bin
Avoid banana peels
Don’t let citrus fruit dominate the bin
End Product
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The worm composting process leaves you with
three usable and sellable products:
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Worms
Vermicompost
Vermicompost Tea
Finished compost can be mixed with potting
soil and used for houseplants and patio
containers. It is an excellent mulch and
premium soil amendment.
Some Markets For Worms
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Other start-up
vermicomposting operations
Bait and tackle shops
Businesses that need worms
as food for animals:
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Fish hatcheries
Pet stores
Zoos
Bird or poultry growers
Frog farmers
Some Markets For Vermicompost
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Home improvement centers, nurseries, landscape
contractors, greenhouses, garden supply chains,
grocery chains, flower shops, general public.
Some Markets For
Vermicompost Tea
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Your own house plants
Orchards
Nurseries
Greenhouses
Landscapers
Retailers
Harvesting Finished Compost
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Keep in mind that the redworms hate light.
Use this to your advantage.
Place open bin under bright light
Remove top layer
Leave in light again
Repeat
Worm Composting: Any Size
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Worm composting can be successfully
conducted as a small, medium, or large scale
operation.
Larger scale programs have been successfully
implemented at institutions such as cafeterias,
hospitals, schools and universities, prisons,
and military bases.
Large Scale Worm Composting
Large Scale Worm Composting
Large Scale Worm Composting
QUESTIONS?
Thank You!
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Additional Questions, Comments, or You
Think You Have A Potential Pilot Community
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Please Feel Free to Contact Me:
Mark W. Davis
Technical Assistance Provider
Rural Community Assistance Program
Office: 1-800-382-9895
Wireless: (812) 320-0720
E-mail: mdavis@incap.org