When you think about the newest gadgets and activities, like the Wii, iPhone or Halo3, you probably wouldn't add composting and worm bins to the list of hip trends.
But somehow, with the rise of the all-encompassing yard waste bin, there's suddenly a larger movement pushing for more families and businesses to compost. It's not like it's an entirely new concept either! Composting has been around and will continue to be around until the end of time. I can remember my grandparents turning their piles of grass and food scraps in the backyard when I was a kid. Sure didn't seem like anything phenomenal then. But now it's the latest activity in creating a 'greener society'--and one that everyone can participate in. Even me.
I live in a small condo and, like many other buildings in Seattle, don't have access to a yard waste bin. That leaves me with no choice but to throw away all my food scraps.
The other day I asked my dad if he help me build a worm bin. He paused in his reading a moment, set down his paper and in the most withering tone possible, asked, "What? Why would you want one of those?"
Since my parents already compost, I couldn't quite understand why my idea was so crazy. This seemed like a perfect project that would embody my ‘new to green’ approach. After all, I'm out there to try new projects and this would help bring down my overall waste accumulation. Where's the harm in that?
So, I decided to look online and find some good resources myself.
Take a look at Portland Metro's website for a detailed explanation of the process and troubleshooting. It’s not the most exciting website...but then again, we’re talking about worm bins here.
For those with kids, or those adults that wish they still were, then Discovery Kids is a fun website.
You can also buy your own ready-made bin as well. Saves some time, but can be about $50-$100 or more. For a cheap person like me, that seems like a lot considering you can turn a regular plastic container into a worm bin. (But I know mine won’t look half as classy as some of the ready-made bins out there!)
Generally, worms love all your usual scraps such as veggie peelings and fruits, coffee grounds, and breads like cornmeal or oats. But steer clear of citrus items, dairy products, meat, oil or fats. One website even listed feces, (although I hope that’s a no-brainer). No dog poo!
I checked out Seattle Tilth and they have some great downloadable resources. They also have a coupon in the Chinook Book for Red Wiggler Composting worms (the best to use for bins), so you can get started.
As soon as the craziness of the holidays are over, I intend to get started building my own...with lots of extra bedding for the rest of the cold winter months! Hopefully by spring, I’ll have some great dirt to use when I start potting my plants.
There’s sure to be an update soon!