Waste Management

Term: Vermicomposting

Website: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Worms/

Vermicomposting

• Using worms to make compost

Industrial Size

• Movie: http://www.wormpower.net/worm-castings/worm-power-news.php

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Worms/

• Go to the Fact Sheet

• What kinds of worms are used for composting?

• What do worms need?

• What do worms eat?

• Where should you keep worms?

• How do you harvest the compost?

Vermicomposting

• Worms: Red Wigglers – not nightcrawlers or local earthworms

• Environment –– Moist – not wet– Bedding– Temp between 55 – 77– Darkness

• Eat - Food scraps – no meat or dairy• Harvest – Allow the worms to crawl up by only

feeding on top layer. Harvest the bottom layers

Compost Research

• What is the appropriate moisture level for compost?

• What are the carbon ingredients

• What are the nitrogen ingredients

• What is the correct ratio of C to N?

• How do you make a hot pile?

• What is the difference between a hot pile and a cold pile?

Passive or Cold

• No special requirements

• Pile it up and let it sit

• Add more material at any time

• Takes 6 mos – 1 year

Active or Hot Compost

• Fast or "active" composting can be completed in two to six weeks.

• This method requires three key activities– 1) "aeration," by turning the compost pile, – 2) moisture– 3) the proper carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio

• Raise the temperature to around 130 -140

Steps to hot compost• Build the pile

– Layer brown & green – chopped up is best– Don’t add anything after it is built– Store until you have enough to build a pile

• Turn every 3-5 days– Or when temp drops below 120

• 4-5 weeks in summer• 6-8 weeks in fall• ? In winter

Today

• Build a 3 stage pile

• Make a sign to begin collecting wastes

• Need volunteer to take a bucket to the cafeteria for lunch every day

• Make a poster/sign to go with it– Why collecting– What to/not to add