Vermicomposting
Organic materials make up approximately two-thirds of the waste stream. While much of this is paper which can be used more efficiently or recycled, a large portion is material like food waste for which few beneficial options outside of composting exist. Fortunately, nature has provided one option that has been receiving increasing attention--vermicomposting.
So what, you may ask, is vermicomposting and how does it work? Smiling worm in apple
Well, "vermi" is the Latin word for worm, and worms like to feed on slowly decomposing organic materials (e.g., vegetable scraps). The "end" product, called castings, is full of beneficial microbes and nutrients, and makes a great plant fertilizer. So, vermicomposting is the practice of using worms to make compost simply by feeding them your food waste.
The reason vermicomposting is becoming popular is because worms are very efficient eating machines. They eat over half their body weight in organic matter per day!
There are vermicomposting businesses in California making compost from the food waste they receive from restaurants and other industries. But you don't need to try and find a large facility to take your food waste when you can vermicompost at home, at school, and even at the office.
CIWMB Resources
* Fact sheet on the role of worm composting in California
* Worm and worm bin suppliers in California
* Classroom worm composting
* The Adventures of Vermi, an animated, interactive game.
Links to Other Worm Composting Sites
* Recycling Council of Ontario
* Wacky World of Worms (Organic fertilizer)
* Worm Digest
* Worm Woman's Web Site
* Worm World Inc.
* Worms.com Bookstore
* Vermicomposters.com
* Vermicomposting Resources--North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension
Events/Conferences
* None at this time
Last updated: August 29, 2008
Contact Information
Joe Serna Jr. Cal/EPA
10th & I Streets
Sacramento,CA
Phone: (916) 323-2514
Email: cepacomm@calepa.ca.gov
©1998, 2008 California Environmental Protection Agency. All rights reserved.
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