Home Composting System - Vermicomposting

Vermicomosting is using worms to decompose food waste to be used as compost. The end result contains water-soluble nutrients and is a very good fertilizer and soil conditioner. Vermicomposting can be done in both large and small scale.

The most common worm used for vermicomposting is the Red Wiggler (Eisenia Fetida). Other worm species can be used but have a more delicate balance of needs. The Red Wigglers are more efficient at temperatures between 15-25*C. They can survive at 10*C but will be harmed at temperatures over 30*C. The worms require oxygen so holes or mesh areas do need to be added.

In large scale vermicomposters, 2 methods can be used.
The Windrow system involves piling the waste material into piles as if it was in a bin. The worms should not escape as they have a large quantity of food to eat. The piles must be turned and moisture levels monitored to keep the worms happy. When the pile is ready to be harvested the worms must be sieved out to be taken to the next pile.
The second method is a Raised Bed or Flow-through system. The food scraps are laid out in a line and 'worm chow' is placed along the top in a line. The worms will work their way through the piles and removes the need to sieve the worms out of the finished product.

Small scale vermicomposters are usually contained in buckets or worm bins and can be used indoors. Worm bins are also built in a couple of methods.
A simple 2-3 part bin can be used where the bedding and food scraps are placed at the top with the worms. By moving the mix around to make space for new scraps, the castings will fall through a mesh into a second level where they can be collected and used. This method requires the owner to sieve through the castings and mix after the process is finished to collect the worms and start a new batch. A third and optional level can be add that collects the 'worm tea'. This liquid can be used to water your plants and contains useful nutrients that will benefit their growth.

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The other method in a flow through system. This method works by having the worms move upwards towards new food and having the castings collect at the bottom most level. The benefit of this method is that the owner does not need to sieve the worms to start a new process as the majority or worms will have moved to the higher levels. This system also has the ability to collect the 'worm tea' and can run multiple processes at a time.

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To build a level of the vermicomposter the owner will have to put a combination of bedding material both under and on top of the levels. For both bedding and food scraps, it is advised to cut the items up into smaller pieces as it will be easier for the worms to eat through them.

The bedding used to surround the food scraps can also be made out of things found around the home.

• Cardboard cartons
• Newspaper
• General paper stock
• Dry leaves
• Dry plant material
• Saw dust

The scraps that can be feed to the worms is fairly specific. Small scale vermicomposters can eat.

• All fruit and vegetables (including citrus)
• Vegetable and fruit peels and ends
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Tea bags
• Grains, bread, crackers and cereals
• Egg shells (rinsed off)
• Leaves and grass clippings (in small amounts, high amounts will start to hot compost the bin and kill the worms)

Items such as meat and dairy products should be avoided as they will likely putrefy before the worms can eat them and can attract vermin or insects to the bin.

After doing research into many composting techniques I feel that vermicomposting is the most efficient method for use inside a house. Use of flow-through technique will mean that the owner does not need to worry about sieving the worms from the castings and making a mess over the floor of their kitchen. A system could be designed where the council picks up the compost and worm tea and the people get money back.


Vermicomposting: How worms can reduce our waste - Matthew Ross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8miLevRI_o

How Does a Worm Farm Work Plus Tips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC2ZOPMtZT0

Vermicompost
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermicompost

Worm Composting
http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/wormcomposting.html

How to Make a Worm Compost System
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Worm-Compost-System

Vermicomposting
http://journeytoforever.org/compost_worm.html

Worm Composting Basics
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/worms/basics.html