Small-Scale Vermicomposting

Abstract

V uses earthworms and other microorganisms to digest organic wastes, such as kitchen scraps. Vermicomposting is faster than traditional composting methods, requires less space, and creates little odor. Making a “worm bin” stocked with composting worms and feeding them plant scraps from the kitchen and garden is a convenient, low-maintenance waste-processingmethod usable almost anywhere people live, including urban environments. Vermicomposting is an easy way to make a positive environmental impact by reducing the amount of green-waste that finds its way into landfills, incinerators, and sometimes the ocean. The resulting nutrient-rich compost endproduct is an environmentally sound amendment to enrich soil for plant growth. Composting with worms is practiced all over the world. Composting and soil-dwelling worms are not the same—they are related species, but they have different roles in nature.Anyworms that are naturally attracted to fresh organic wastes can be used in a vermicomposting system. One particularly effective composting worm found in Hawaii is Perionyx excavatus, the blue worm. Although Hawaii Department of Agriculture quarantine regulations currently prohibit importing earthworms, several types of composting worms are available from suppliers within the state. Vermicomposting is a promising biotechnology for many waste management applications. The description here of a small-scale vermicomposting system is meant to introduce the basic principles of vermicomposting.