It’s been a while since I posted about the human hair vermicomposting experiment. I’m using redworms picked from my other bin in a bedding of paper towels and newpapers. The point of this experiment is to see what can happen to human waste products with a minimum of effort on my part. So, apart from moving them inside, adding bedding once every six weeks or so, and occasionally checking on them, I’ve done nothing. I made the decision in early November to bring them into my house to keep them warm through the winter.
Results are mixed. The hair appears to be breaking down slowly. The worms I added are not dead, but they aren’t doing great either:
My human hair worm bin
Inside my human hair worm bin
Worms are still alive, but not plentiful
Moving the worm bin inside
On the plus side, I’ve noticed no smell. Whenever I open the box up, I see a great deal of condensation, so I have been adding more scrap paper.. I have not been ripping it up, which may have a negative effect. But I still see live worms around in there. So far it has been over six months and there is still a significant amount of hair, but the initial melons are all gone.
January 11th, 2009
There’s a vermicomposting conference coming up in Illinios. Here’s the current text. It costs money but will probably be reasonable; I found the 2007 announcement and it was $35.
Composting Symposium: Vermiculture and Beyond – Feb 2, 2009 Feb 9, 2009 (updated Jan 5 2009)
ISA invites you to the 6th Annual Vermicomposting Symposium to be held at the Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center. This year’s symposium has been expanded and will cover hot compost in addition to vermiculture so there is a little something for everyone from apartment composters to local farmers. Check back soon for a schedule of events and on-line registration.
What is vermicomposting? Vermicomposting is the process of having redworms and other decomposer organisms process our organic waste and turn it into a great natural fertilizer (called vermicompost). Vermicompost contains: worm castings (“vermicastings”), good aerobic compost from other worm bin organisms, and some material (food waste, bedding, etc.) that’s on its way to the worms or other critters. Vermicomposting is easy, requires very few supplies, and can be done by anyone.
Illinois Stewardship Alliance co-sponsors this event with Illinois Department of Agriculture, City of Springfield, and Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
November 27th, 2008
