February - March 2008
going green with worms
The Ultimate Pet
By Mindy Jaffe, Waikiki Worm Co.
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You can find them on lanais, on bookshelves, in closets, under the kitchen sink, even under the bed… by that we mean worm bins.
Worm bins are becoming the hottest home accessory for environmentally responsible apartment dwellers. A building with 350 units will generate approximately 37 tons of food waste annually. Food waste typically goes either into the sewer system via disposal using eight gallons of water to flush a gallon of waste or is deposited into rubbish cans or Dumpsters, which invariably stink and draw flies, roaches, and rats.
By practicing worm composting, or vermicomposting, urban residents who manage waste on-site save water, electricity, fossil fuels, landfill space, sewer spills, and money. The composting worm Perionyx excavatus can easily be cultured in any container, munching on banana peels, papaya skins, veggie trimmings, leftover rice and juice pulp. Paper and cardboard waste is used to make their bedding which they also eat.
A compact kitchen colony of one pound of worms will process one pound of food and paper waste per day. A well-managed worm bin will have no odor whatsoever and is easy to maintain in limited space. It has no more impact than a potted plant; it’s a contained living ecosystem with a drip pan below and some would say it has much more value. In exchange for your garbage, worms produce vermicast or “gardener’s gold,” a nutrient-rich organic soil amendment that can be used to nourish lanai gardens and houseplants, landscaping, and lawns.
Every four to five months, the worm bin is harvested to remove the vermicast and to re-bed the worms in fresh paper/cardboard bedding. The harvesting technique is easy to master and the process is enjoyable although somewhat time-consuming. Many busy worm bin owners prefer to purchase a service contract with the local worm company to handle the periodic harvest. Worried about needing a worm-sitter when you go on vacation? No problem - worms can easily go a few weeks without attention.
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Children in the household especially benefit from the observation and care of these amazing creatures, who are the true super heros of our earth, effectively and efficiently recycling valuable plant nutrients back to the soil.
With vermicomposting now in the curriculum in many Oahu classrooms, a worm bin at home reinforces lessons in biology and ecology. For parents interested in providing a good example of conservation and stewardship, composting with worms puts green values into action.
New condo developments around town interested in going green are offering optional worm bin cabinets build right in to kitchens. A simple box-type bin set-up with a drip pan below for drainage is inexpensive to install and easy to use anywhere. Developers, managers, and condo associations are creating incentives for residents to practice vermicomposting by purchasing the initial set-up, a year’s service contract, or both. Some offer a discount on maintenance fees.
Worms offer a fun, educational, and unique alternative waste management strategy everyone can get behind!
Mindy Jaffe is the owner of Waikiki Worm Company, supplying composting worms, worm bins, and other related products and services to Oahu residents going green. Public Worm Workshops are offered monthly. See www.waikikiworm.com or call 382-0432. Mindy lives in a small studio apartment in the heart of Waikiki with 12,000 worms.
