Worm Composting

Worm Composting is a natural method for recycling food waste. Worms and microorganisms eat the organic materials and bedding producing compost.

It can be done year-round, indoors and outdoors, by apartment dwellers and households. Compost is good soil conditioner for houseplants, gardens, and lawns.

Further Resources

Interested in learning more? The Abbotsford Mission Recycling Program now offers on-site Worm Composting Workshops! Click here for more information.

For further worm composting information, please view City Farmer and the Metro Vancouver Worm Composting Brochure.

Looking for Red Wiggler Worms? Check out Urban Worm Wonders website.

Equipment Required:

A Container
  • Should be approximately 50 litres and can be made from wood or plastic.
  • Needs to have holes for aeration and drainage.
Bedding
  • Suitable bedding includes shredded paper, newspaper, cardboard, fall leaves, saw dust, dried grass clippings and compost.
  • Fill the bin with bedding as damp as a wrung out sponge. A few drops are okay, but a stream of water is too wet.
Worms
  • You will need approximately 500-1000 red wiggler worms (1/2 lb to 1 lb).
  • Red wiggler worms can eat half of their body weight in food each day ( for every kilogram per day of food waste, you will need two kilograms of worms).
Food Waste
  • Worms eat fruits and vegetable peels, egg shells, tea bags and coffee grounds.
  • Bury food waste underneath bedding.