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VERMICOMPOSTINGBackground &
Life Cycle Analysis
Sean Brandt23 April 2001
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VERMICOMPOSTING DEFINITION
Vermicomposting is the process of creating reasonably odorless compost by
red worms feeding on microorganisms that degrade organic matter such as food waste.
The worm castings (excrement) are nutrient-rich in usable forms for plants, and
therefore make excellent fertilizer.
INPUT OUTPUT
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~ ~ Vermicompost System
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CLOSING THE LOOP
INPUT OUTPUT
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Vermicompost System
AGRICULTURE
microorganisms, worms
plastic
wood
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VERMICOMPOSTING “SIZES”
Small – individual, homeMedium – small community or businessLarge – large community or industry
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BASIC DESIGNS OF VERMICOMPOSTING
Simple boxLateral movementStackable trayContinuous flow
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SMALL-SCALE VERMICOMPOSTING
Personal Responsibility
Input – personal/family food waste, some lawn and gardening wasteSystem – small bin in basement, backyardOutput – fertilizer for own gardenSustainable? – depends primarily on the bin, since “closed the loop” for some of own waste
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Simple Box• Worm-A-Way (wormwoman)• 100% recycled plastic
Simple Box• Little Worm Farm Kit• Wooden
SMALL-SCALE VERMICOMPOSTING
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Stackable tray• Wriggly Wranch• 100% recycled plastic
Continuous flow• Earth Factory• Recycled plastic sides; steel
frame; recycled redwood lid
SMALL-SCALE VERMICOMPOSTING
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Lateral movement• Wormaroo
SMALL-SCALE VERMICOMPOSTING
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MEDIUM-SCALE VERMICOMPOSTING
(Small) Community Responsibility
Input – community/business food waste, lawn and gardening wasteSystem – large bins with different design needs than small binsOutput – fertilizer for cropsSustainable? – again, depends primarily on the bin
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Continuous Flow• EPM Institutional Bin
MEDIUM-SCALE VERMICOMPOSTING
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LARGE-SCALE VERMICOMPOSTING
(Large) Community Responsibility
Input – food waste, agricultural waste, paper waste, municipal solid wasteSystem – large bins; troughs; ground surface overlayOutput – fertilizer for cropsSustainable? – depends on the bin (site-specific); also transportation cost gains
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GENERIC DESCRIPTION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMSInput – food waste, lawn and garden waste, paper waste, farm animal & human excrementSystem – wooden/plastic boxes, cement troughs, direct ground overlay; microorganisms and red worms on damp beddingOutput – worm castings used as fertilizer (1/10th tonnage, 30% increased yield), “tea” (separation of liquids and solids)Sustainable? – yes, for the most part (consider consumption and disposal); gains still possible in system design
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GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
INPUT = ORGANIC MATTER
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SYSTEM = CONTAINER + “NATURE”
GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
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GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
SYSTEM: CONTAINER
Basic design considerationsSize: 1 ft3 space/lb “food” per weekTemperature: 32 ºF < T < 85 ºFVentilation/Drainage holes
Green design considerationsRecycled/Recyclable/ReusablePackaging (commercial, shipping)Source reduction: no container
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GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
SYSTEM: CONTAINERWooden Bins
reused woodno chemical sealantsnatural decomposition
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GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
SYSTEM: CONTAINERPlastic Bins
% recycled contentthermoplastic plastic vs. thermoset plasticforming processpackaging wastelasts for generations
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GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
SYSTEM: CONTAINERGround Overlay
no packaging!pile up different resources, let worms do workaesthetically pleasing if coverednatural decomposition
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GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
SYSTEM: CONTAINERCement Troughs
recycled ash (from power generation) contenttransportation, packaging of cementcrush & reuse as aggregate
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GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
SYSTEM: “NATURE”
Native worm speciesHome-grown worms“Soil foodweb”Ecosystem food chainBedding
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OUTPUT = WORM CASTINGS
GREEN CONSIDERATION OF VERMICOMPOSTING SYSTEMS
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Summary and Conclusions
Simple, effectiveContributes to sustainability by reducing landfilling, closing loop from food chainImprovements can be made in containers and packaging (wood vs. thermoplastics vs. no container)Future – Tax on garbage, personal bins provided? Subsidy for compost? Another bin for curbside collection? Living machines?