Vermicomposting

Product Description

Vermicomposting is the process by which worms are used to convert organic materials into compost, which may be used as fertilizer. Vermicomposting can be done in bins, heaps, or windrows.

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Unknown

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product can be produced using locally available materials in the form of a bin or a windrow.

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Users put the bin or windrow together themselves using their preferred design.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Input requirement (volume and frequency)

68 kg, additional food scraps with paper/dirt layer can be added weekly

Additives

Worms, shredded paper

Production capacity (kg output per kg input)

87 kg output per 168 kg input

Production duration

~60-90 days

Percentage of nutrient recovery

1.7% nitrogen, 1.3% phosphorous

Complementary treatment needed

None

Design Specifications

For a bin, the user should take two plastic bins. The shorter, wider bin (made of rubber or plastic) approximately 15 inches deep, 25 inches wide and 5 inches high would be used as the bottom to collect liquid. The top bin may be roughly an 18 gallon tub about 15 inches deep, 20 inches wide and 15 inches tall. This bin needs a lid, with a 1-inch hole drileld about two inches from the top on either side, and with four 1/8-inch holes near the bottom corners of the bin. Each hole should be covered with vinyl screening. Three inches of shredded paper will be placed in the bottom of the bin mixed with soil and water. Worms should be fed with food scraps once a week, and new paper. Red wrigglers can be used. Worm species may vary, but Lumbricus rubellus (red worm) and Eisenia foetida are thermo-tolerant, European night crawlers (Dendrabaena veneta or Eisenia hortensis) are produced commercially and have been used successfully in most climates, and the African night crawler (Eudrilus eugeniae) is a tropical worm species, though it does not do well in colder temperatures. Windrows may also be used for composting. Cow manure is piled about 90 cm across and 90 cm high, seeded with worms, and fresh manure is added to the end of the row as the worms move forward. Rows should be covered to keep them shaded and cool and moistened when needed. For both methods, compost is collected at the opposite area to the worms (they can be fed on one side to shift them over for the bin method).

Technical Support

There is no technical support provided and users are expected to maintain the product on their own.

Replacement Components

None

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

N/A

Vetted Performance Status

Testing evaluated temperature and pH, different plant species' growth in vermicompost, nitrogen and phosphorous availability, and the C-N ratio.

Safety

Implementers must taken appropriate precautions when working with organic waste, particularly cattle manure, and ensure complete decomposition.