Course 2 Unit 6

Part B – Vermicomposting Introduction to composting

Teacher: Mariska Ronteltap

m.ronteltap@unesco-ihe.org
 Course 2 Unit 6

Course 2 Unit 6

Part B: Vermicomposting

By the way: there are many video clips on vermicomposting in

general on YouTube.com
 Overview
 Vermicomposting is a special type of
composting which uses certain earth worms
 Vermicomposting is already being used
worlwide for treatment of organic waste,
sewage sludge, manure, kitchen waste etc.
 Vermicomposting can also be used to treat
faeces (e.g. faeces collected from UDD
toilets), in order to make faeces into a
valuable product
 The Technical University in Hamburg
(TUHH) in Germany is conducting
research in the field of vermicomposting
of faeces, see their website (and also see Source: Google Images

next slide):
 https://www.tuhh.de/alt/aww/projects.html
 https://www.tuhh.de/t3resources/aww/fors
chung/pdf/vermi_dry_toilet.pdf
 Information sources for this presentation
 E-mails from Christopher Buzie in 2007
 http://doku.b.tu-harburg.de/volltexte/2011/1095/pdf/
DissertationChristopherBuzie.pdf

 PhD thesis of Moataz Shalabi “Vermicomposting of Faecal Matter as

a Component of Source Control Sanitation”, TU Hamburg-Harburg
(2006).
 http://www2.gtz.de/Dokumente/oe44/ecosan/en-vermicomposting-
of-faecal-matter-as-a-component-of-source-control-sanitation-
2006.pdf

 Website “The compost guy” (general information on vermicomposting,

but not vermicomposting for faeces): www.compostguy.com

 wikipedia
 Definition of vermicomposting
 Vermicompost (also called worm compost, vermicast, worm castings, worm
humus or worm manure) is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter
by some species of earthworm. Vermicompost is a nutrient-rich, natural
fertilizer and soil conditioner. The process of producing vermicompost is called
vermicomposting.

 The earthworm species (or composting worms) most often used are Brandling
Worms (Eisenia foetida) or Red Wigglers (Lumbricus rubellus). These species
are only rarely found in soil and are adapted to the special conditions in rotting
vegetation, compost and manure piles. Composting worms are available from
mail-order suppliers, or from angling shops where they are sold as bait. Small-
scale vermicomposting is well suited to turn kitchen waste into high-quality soil,
where space is limited.

 In addition to worms, a healthy vermicomposting system hosts many other

organisms such as insects, mold, and bacteria. Though these all play a role in
the composting process, the earthworm is the major catalyst for the
composting process.

Source: www.wikipedia.org
 Course 2 Unit 6

Vermicomposting - basics
 Vermiculture (derived from the Latin word “vermis” meaning
worm) involves the mass production of earthworm for waste
degradation, and composting with “vermicast” production
 Earthworms are the “intestines of the earth”!
 They occur in diverse habitats especially those which are
dark and moist
 Organic materials like humus, cattle dung and kitchen
wastes are highly attractive for some species
 Types of action of the earthworms

 Physical/mechanical:
– Substrate aeration and mixing due to the movement of
the worms inside the substrate as well as actual grinding
– Keeps organic waste constantly aerated and achieves
cooling
 saves costs on mechanical process units for mixing
used in conventional (hot) composting
 Biochemical:
– Microbial decomposition of the substrate in the intestines
of the earthworms
 What do the earthworms do?
1. Maintain aerobic conditions in the mixture
2. Ingest solids
3. Convert a portion of the organics into worm biomass
and to respiration products
4. Expel the remaining partially stabilised matter as
discrete material (earthworm faeces or “castings”)
5. Worms and aerobic mesophilic microorganisms act
symbiotically to accelerate and enhance the
decomposition of the organic matter
 Properties of end product from vermicomposting
 Very finely structured,  Earth-like, soil building
uniform, stable and substance that forms a
aggregated particles of beneficial growing
humified organic material environment for plant
 Excellent porosity, aeration roots
and water holding capacity  Valuable and marketable
 Rich in available plant product
nutrients, hormones,
enzymes and (benign)
microbial populations
 Mostly pathogen-free:
 Plant and human
pathogens are killed
during passage of the
earthworm gut

Source: Google Images

 Course 2 Unit 6

Degree of organic matter degradation

depends on:
1. Portion of the waste that is degradable
2. Maintenance of aerobic conditions
3. Absence of toxic compounds

Source: Google Images

 Vermicomposting is practically odour-free
 Earthworms release coelomic
fluids into the decaying waste
biomass which have anti-bacterial
properties and kill pathogens
 By creating aerobic conditions, the
release of foul-smelling hydrogen
sulphide from anaerobic
microorganisms is inhibited
 So what’s the difference between conventional
composting (also called “hot composting”) and
vermicomposting?

Hot composting Vermicomposting

 See next slides

Source of the photo: http://www.compostguy.com/composting/hot-composting-vs-
vermicomposting/ -- very informative website!
 Differences between vermicomposting and (hot)
composting (slide 1 of 2)
Process variable Vermicomposting Hot composting

Conditions Aerobic

Process 15 - 25ºC 50-70ºC

temperature
Type of Ambient to mesophilic Thermophilic (at least
temperature (<35ºC) – otherwise worms for part of the time)
will be killed
Method of Apply waste frequently in Stack waste material in
operation thin layers (continuous large piles so that heat
operation rather than batch) produced is retained in
pile (usually batch
operation)
 Course 2 Unit 6

Differences between vermicomposting and (hot)

composting (slide 2 of 2)
Process variable Vermicomposting Hot composting

Earthworms Present in large Only present at beginning

quantities (die off at temperature in
pile > 35°C)
Pathogen Passage through worm Elevated temperature over
destruction gut (biochemical extended period (> 1
mechanism digestion) week) and action of
microorganisms
Final product Vermicompost or Compost; relatively little
vermicast; microbial activity
microbiologically active
(this is good for the soil)
 Vermicomposting: pros and cons
compared to hot composting
Pros
1) Tends to be somewhat less labor-
intensive - no turning/aerating
necessary (worm activity helps to
mix, fragment and aerate materials)
2) Cooler temperatures help to conserve
nitrogen
3) Higher moisture contents not an issue
(and actually preferred)
4) Materials can be constantly added (no
need to stock pile in preparation for
next ‘batch’)
5) Size of system unimportant - ideally
suited for both indoors and outdoors
6) Considerable evidence to indicate that
vermicomposts have beneficial
properties not found in hot composts
7) Under ideal conditions, wastes can be
processed very quickly
Cons
1) Won’t kill seeds (and although there
is a fair amount of evidence to
indicate pathogen destruction,
more research is required)
2) More space required to process
similar amounts as hot composting
- need to be careful with amount
added (since excess heat will kill
worms)
3) Outdoor systems much more
limited by cold weather
4) Worms need to be separated from
compost
5) Worms (although quite resilient) do
require some attention and proper
care.
Source:
http://www.compostguy.com/composting/hot-
composting-vs-vermicomposting/
 Hot composting: pros and cons compared to
vermicomposting
Pros
1) Enables processing of larger
quantities of materials in a
smaller area
2) Can proceed relatively quickly
under ideal conditions
3) Can kill weed seeds and
pathogens
4) On a large scale can proceed
easily in cold weather
Cons
1) Can be labor-intensive
(piling wastes, turning pile
etc) and require more
attention
2) Heat can kill off many
beneficial microbes
3) May require some stock-
piling until sufficient
materials available for
‘batch’
4) Heating can lead to
considerable nitrogen loss
Source:
http://www.compostguy.com/compostin
g/hot-composting-vs-vermicomposting/
 Vermicomposting can speed up the process of
composting

Source: Claudia Wendland, TUHH (Hamburg Technical University)

presented at Bulgaria ecosan seminar, April 2007
 How to do vermicomposting of wet faecal
matter
“ For the treatment of wet faecal matter vermicomposting will be a
good choice. You can try to find the regional species when you
inquire which worms are found in dung, maybe there is a worm
farm around (often used for biowaste composting).
When you put them in, leave them with a good amount of their
original compost so that they can work from there into the
material. Make sure the heap is not getting too dry, some
controlled moisturing may be required.

Six months will give excellent compost, due to the origin of the
faeces from so many different people I recommend to work it into
the ground with care on a non-food field.”

Source: Ralf Otterpohl (TUHH Hamburg University, Germany),

Ecosanres Discussion Forum, 21 March 2007
 Course 2 Unit 6

How to do vermicomposting if the faeces are

very wet?

“The trick is to properly manage the temperature and moisture

content of the material.
– For wet faeces you collect from UDD toilets which are not
properly used, I recommend you put it in filter sacks and
allow to drain for about a week.
– In the absence of a filter sack, you could use the closely-
woven large African fibre baskets.”

Source: Chris Buzie (PhD student at TUHH Hamburg University, Germany),

Ecosanres Discussion Forum, 27 March 2007
 Course 2 Unit 6

How to find the right earthworms?

 “Look around for a composting heap. Dig out the worms you find in
there (as many as possible) and add them in the drained faeces.

 The species of earthworms you are likely to encounter in compost

heaps in tropical countries and which will likely be suitable for
treating faecal material are:
- Eudrilus euginiae (fast growing and capable of processing large
quantities of organic wastes rapidly but easily damaged by handling)
and
- Perionyx excavatus (also very prolific and not easily damaged).
 I am not suggesting that you take the pains in identifying these
organisms before using them as any earthworms you'll find in the
compost heaps around you will suffice.

 You do not need to dig deep into the heaps to look for them as the
earthworms will always congregate at the top layers where
temperature is lower.”

Source: Chris Buzie (PhD student at TUHH Hamburg University, Germany), Ecosanres Discussion Forum, 27
March 2007
 Here is an idea: How about starting your own
vermicomposting process in your kitchen?
From: Marieke Heijnen in June 2007 (former online course participant)

“Hi everyone,
I just wanted to share my excitement of my new pets with you all-  I became
very intruiged by the whole vermicomposting since the course and now
have a multi-story worm house in my kitchen. they don't smell, they're
great with kitchen waste (even my coffee grounds!) and soon they'll start
making very nutritious liquid which will make my plants very happy.
 
I took the easy way out as I ordered a 'worm starters kit' via
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk  (I got the can-o-worms)
http://www.reln.com.au/product_info.php?pid=9&cid=3
 
I already have excited many of my friends, and hopefully my worms will breed
lots so I can give some to others and also put them in outside compost
heaps!

So- recommend it to everyone, it's very fun!

Take care, Marieke “ (marieke.heijnen@gmail.com)
Research project: The effect of vermicomposting on presence of helminth ova
in human faeces
(November 06 to February 07)

Actual vermicomposting of organic wastes in

Manresa (XU Farm)
Source: Robert J. Holmer, Analiza U. Miso
Periurban Vegetable Project (PUVeP)
Xavier University College of Agriculture
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
http://puvep.xu.edu.ph/

(see following slides for more information )

 Course 2 Unit 6

Example of current research in this field:

EFFECT OF VERMICOMPOSTING ON THE PRESENCE OF

HELMINTH OVA (Necator americanus, Trichuris trichiura,
Ascaris lumbricoides) IN HUMAN FAECES

by: Michael Z. Nuesca

Xavier University College of Agriculture
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines

Presented at:
International Conference on Sustainable Sanitation:
Eco-Cities and Villages
26-31 August 2007, Dongsheng, China
http://www.ecosanres.org/icss/proceedings-presentations.htm

The full presentation is provided under Assigned Reading

 Nuesca’s presentation:
Methodology
 Randomized Complete Block
Design
(2 factorial with 4 replications)
– Factor 1: Dried human
faeces collected from two
UDD toilets
– Factor 2:
Vermicomposting
 Nuesca’s presentation:
Result Hookworm (Mean) With vermicomposting
Day 1 = 9.69
35.00
Day 30 = 4.06
Number ofNecator americanusper 2 grams

30.00 Day 60 = 7.13

25.00 Without
wit h
vermico m vermicompsting
20.00 p o s t ing
Day 1 = 9.38
substrate

Day 30 = 13.5
15.00
wit ho ut Day 60 = 30.31
vermico m
p o s t ing
10.00

5.00

0.00
1 30 60
Vermicomposting (days)
 Nuesca’s presentation:
Conclusion

 After 60 days,
– Vermicomposting significantly reduced the number of
Ascaris ova below the threshold level of USEPA.
– Whipworm ova were fully eliminated regardless of treatment.
– Number of hookworm ova were significantly less in the
vermicomposting treatments; however, above the threshold
level of USEPA.
 Course 2 Unit 6

Nuesca’s presentation:
Recommendation

 Further researches on:

– Longer- period exposure
– Higher density of earthworms
– Effect of vermicomposting on other faecal pathogens
– Effect of vermicast on growth of different crops
 And at the end: A little real life story about backyard
vermicomposting in the Philippines
 “Today was composting day in our garden. Our gardener sieved the fresh
compost from one of our 2 compost boxes, bagged the fine stuff into rice
bags and mixed the rough, not yet fully composted bits with the content of
the other box. He has done that numerous times and usually he puts the
worms that are caught in the sieve together with the rough material into the
second box. Today, he could not finish the job and his 20 year old son, a
University Student jumped in for him. When my husband came home the job
was done and he asked the young man if he had also collected the worms
and put them into the other box. Well, he had not… He had killed all my
precious African Nightcrawlers that are such good compost makers! He
thought they were rather ugly and harmful creatures.”

 Ulrike, where did you get the worms from? “Well, I sort of imported them
when I started with the compost. One of my German colleagues from DED
had established biowaste composting on the landfill of a nearby town. He
offered to get some of their compost and advised me to mix it with our
garden and kitchenwaste. The worms hatched from the worm eggs that were
in the compost (not only ascaris survive in soil ;-)). They grew very well and
are really great compost makers. “

 Posting by Ulrike Lipkow, GTZ Philippines, during March-June ecosan online

course (in May 2007)