Vermicomposting Toronto (Finalist)

Hi Mary,

Sorry for the delay in responding to your questions.

First of all, this is a social endeavour. Our goal is to promote social responsibility and environmental awareness. Although there is a potential for revenue generation, the main goal is to encourage community organizations to be aware of and take responsibility for their waste. A secondary goal is to provide a valuable, self-supporting activity for clients at different community organizations.

The upfront costs for this project depend on the size of vermicomposting system and the amount of worms required. For example: 4'x8'x3' (LxWxH) insulated bin would cost approximately $470 in materials and around $800 construction/assembly costs. This size bin could house up to 30 lbs. of worms (1 pound of worms per sq. foot of surface area).  A 4'x12'x3' bin (48 sq. ft) would cost approximately $600 in materials and about the same for construction/assembly.

The worms we use are Red Wiggler worms. The going rate for Red Wigglers is $45/lb. in Ontario. The bulk rate is $33.25/lb.

Total cost for worms:

            30 pounds (30,000 worms)            $997.50

            48 pounds (48,000 worms)            $1,596.00

Costs and Specifications:

Red Wiggler Worms             30 pounds                                      $ 997.50

Worm Bin Dimensions:            4’x8’x3’

Worm Bin Costs:                     Materials:                                 $ 470

                                            Construction:                             $ 800                                      

Grinder/Processor:*                                                                $ 500 - 750

Instructions/Setup                                                                  $ 200

Setup/Maintenance Visits                                                         $ 400  

Harvest**                                                                                $ 200      

Total:                                                                                 $3,567.50       

* To prepare food scraps to feed to the worms, the smaller the pieces, the faster it breaks down, the more the worms can eat is the basic formula. The best method is to grind or chop up the food waste with a grinder or food processor. If an appropriate appliance is already available at the facility to process the food, or if the staff/clients would be willing to process the food manually (with a knife or shovel) then a grinder/processor will not be required.

** We suggest weekly maintenance visits for the first month of operation to ensure the vermicomposting system is operating at peak efficiency, monthly inspections as required. In addition, we would recommend training and setup/maintenance visits for the first year and at least one harvest. The harvest entails separating the worms from the castings, placing the worms in new bedding and preparing the castings for sale. After initial training the clients of the partner facilities would take over operations and running of the worm bins, however, Cathy's Crawly Composters would always be available for trouble shooting as well as ongoing advice and support.

The total cost for setting up one unit, including training and support would be under $4,000. Once the unit is operational, there should be no further costs.

Poo Balls and Packaging

At the Surrey Place harvest parties around 500 poo balls were produced and they sold for $2/ball or $30/flat. Additional worm castings were screened and sold in bulk at $2/litre. All of the money from sales of the Poo Balls and castings went to The Coffee Shed at Surrey Place and a portion was used to construct a second worm bin on the premises. We expect all proceeds from the sales of castings and poo balls to go to the host community group. In the past, the packaging for the balls is simply egg cartons. This makes it easy to sell by the dozen/flat. One of our strategies is to use as little packaging as possible. Rather than create more waste with excess packaging, we reduce and reuse whenever possible. Castings are packaged in recycled feedbags (bulk orders) or 2 litre milk and juice cartons.

Community Groups

In addition to The Coffee Shed, who are looking into expanding their vermicomposting program into different locations, Girls Inc. and the Women’s Centre of York Region have confirmed that they want to support this endeavour. We also have a few other community groups that have expressed interest. We are waiting final confirmation. A number of schools have installed smaller worm bins inside classrooms. We will be approaching schools to see if they would like to expand their Vermicomposting programs. We will also look forward to talking with Climate Spark experts to get input.

Regulatory

Most of the regulations we are aware of are concerned with the collection and transportation of organics to waste facilities. Since the organics collected will be from the same facility, there will be not be an issue with transportation. We still need to look into this in more depth and are hoping to get some advice and input from the Climate Spark experts.

As with any outdoor composting set up attracting vermin is always a consideration. One of the key components of this vermicomposting system is a 1/4” wire mesh across the base of the unit. This will prevent vermin (especially moles which have a great appetite for worms) from burrowing into the composter. An important component for deterring vermin is keeping meat, bones and fat out of the composter.

Vermicomposting is ideally done indoors. This would eliminate the potential rodent problem. A worm bin placed in a climate controlled location also takes about the need for an insulated system. We are also seeking organization with indoor space. This would save on materials and remove the weather element from the equation.

Vermicomposting is an aerobic process meaning with oxygen. It should never smell like rotting food. If it smells like rotting food, it is rotting food and not composting. This is easily remedied by removing some of the rotting food and aerating the bedding to increase airflow and return conditions to aerobic.

Carbon:

Although some facilities are tapped into the green bin program, most business, multi-residential and schools do not have access to the green bin program. The waste from these locations currently goes to landfill. Vermicomposting on-site reduces the need for transportation of materials to a processing plant. Sale of the finished material would likely be on-site.

One of the biggest challenges with vermicomposting is the worms. There are many misconceptions about worm composting. Ideally, worm composting is done inside (see worm chalet - manufactured in Ontario). This removes the weather element. A worm bin in every class is a wonderful idea, however, if the principal is afraid of worms or is unaware of the benefits, putting worms in that school will be difficult. A worm bin outside is best placed in the shade to reduce the possibility of heating up the bin too much.

http://www.cathyscomposters.com/images/Worm chalet sml.jpg

Worm composting is a solution for everywhere. It is ideally done indoors. No special equipment is required (except for the worms). The worm food consists of pre-consumer food so food preparation rather than plate scrappings. It is all the fruit, vegetables, cooked pasta/rice, bread, beans, grains, paper, etc. It is quite astonishing what the worms will consume. What stays out: no meat, no dairy, no sauce/grease.

What goes in and what stays out is just a matter of education and proper signage/training.

Please visit our website for more information about the Wonder of Worms amd watch Vermicomposting 101 in the top right corner. http://www.cathyscomposters.com/

Thanks Terry! That's true, worms quietly work away cleaning our environment.

Appreciate your support!

Thank you Maria! Worm composting is a simple solution to one of today's biggest problems - 'garbage'.

The worms convert 'garbage' into 'black gold' for gardening.

Unlike Forterra which was attempting to do vermicomposting on a very large scale, we are advocating for a smaller scale approach. Instead of trucks hauling material around, this is an on-site solution for anywhere. If there is no space inside, then outside. Everyone being responsible and managing their own organics. Talk about sustainable!