|
|
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?
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
Links to Other Worm Composting Sites
Events/Conferences
|
||
|
Last updated: April 23, 2008 Organic Materials Management http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/ Pat Paswater: PPaswater@ciwmb.ca.gov (916) 341-6593 |
