Angela Topp is the owner of Treehuggers, earth-friendly retail and green education, with locations both in Holland and Grand Rapids. Read her Rapid Growth profile here.
Anyone that has ever met me knows that I love talking about my worms. I am a vermicomposting fanatic! For those who do not know what vermicomposting is, in short, it uses red worms (red wigglers) to help break down natural waste. Vermicomposting is perfect for people that cannot compost outdoors or hate the idea of going outside in the middle of the winter to turn a pile. I started composting with worms a few years back, and my passion for it has been the driving force behind opening Treehuggers.
When I wanted to start composting, there was no one I knew to talk to and no place to go and see an actual live bin. I ended up having to order the bin and the worms online through Amazon, and the whole experience was pretty overwhelming. After the initial uncertainty wore off, however, it turned out that composting was really easy and I really enjoyed it.
Vermicomposting is not for everyone. It takes a special person. You really have to be okay with worms. If worms gross you out, then vermicomposting is not for you. The worms used are red worms; they love darkness, so they are happy being contained in a bin. I do not suggest, nor recommend going outside and simply finding a bunch of worms. You may save a couple bucks, but you are likely to have the little guys dried up on your carpet after a couple of days and that is no fun for anyone.
To start composting, you need a bin. We at Treehuggers personally recommend “
The Worm Factory." This is the bin I started with and the brand we carry in the store. If you don’t want to buy one, you can always make your own. Please keep in mind that this bin is now the new home to 1000+ worms and soil that you will use in gardening. With that being said, the bin cannot be made of harmful materials, and it needs to have a way to drain out excess moisture. It also cannot be airtight; the worms need oxygen to survive.
Vermicomposting is really meant to be indoors. If the bin gets too hot or cold, the worms will die (especially since they cannot escape). You do not need to devote a large space for your bin; in fact, many people put theirs in a closet or under the sink. I started with mine in a closet, then soon realized that every guest wanted to see it so there was no point in hiding it. I vote for putting it somewhere that is convenient and easy to access.
One of the benefits of vermicomposting is that you can still compost just about anything you can compost outdoors. All vegetables, most fruits, grains and my favorite item: junk mail. I call my worm bin my “identity theft deterent.” I put anything with my personal information inside the bin, and the worms turn it into worm poop! It doesn’t get any safer than that.
The most common question I am asked is if it smells. The answer: no. Come on by and smell my bin if you’d like. You will never know it is there. The only way it will smell is if you are doing it wrong and putting something you’re not supposed to inside -- meat, dairy, an entire Amy’s frozen entrée. If for some reason it does start to smell, it’s really easy to correct. Most of the time, you just need to add more paper.
Vermicomposting is one of many options available to you. We can help you with all of them. If you’re like me and think it’s pretty cool to have 1000+ worms eating away at your garbage, I encourage you to get started! You can easily divert about 50% of your waste from going to the landfills. Compost, in addition to the recycling you are already doing, and you're on the way to being virtually waste free. How cool is that?
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