Vermicomposting Medical University of South Carolina

1. Christine Risher von KolnitzRecycling Coordinator VermicompostingMedical University of South Carolina

2. Worm Biology Basics • The worm used in these two projects is the Red Wiggler or manure worm [Eisensia Foetida] • The red wiggler has no teeth, it uses its lip to grasp food. They coat their food with saliva to make it easier to eat. Small stones in the gizzard grind up the food. The food passes through the intestine and comes out as a casting. Worms have no eyes or ears, but can sense vibration or light. They breath through their skin.

3. MUSC Vermicomposting:A Case Study • MUSC with help from DHEC grants and DHEC SC State Energy Office funding and the V. Kahn Rassmusen Foundation have partnered to compost the following: • Foodwaste • Animal lab waste • Yardwaste

4. The Waste Management Technique • In-vessel Vermi-Organic Digester • footprint: 7’ x 18’ x 5’ with electric panel, motors, and hydraulic pack • contains blowers, A/C, and heat • requires 208-240 volts or 3 phase • purchasing shredder/mixer/conveyor unit • capacity is 100-300 pounds per day

15. Necessary Materials and Supplies • 4-45 gallon Rubbermaid Brute containers with wheels. • A concrete pad 18’ x 24’ and a metal structure over the pad • The pad must be coated with acrylic so that the castings can be cleaned up easily • Supply electric and water to the pad • Purchase scale, long handle squeegee, gloves, long handle plastic head broom, and dustpan

16. The Plan • In May 99’, we will start composting food waste from our main cafeteria and mix shredded paper as necessary • Tests will be performed to determine the PH and existence of pathogens • All castings will then be used by our grounds department on campus and we hope to have a demonstration planting bed

17. The Plan (Continued) • In September 99, we will start to accept lab animal waste • As before tests will be performed to determine the PH and existence of pathogens

18. Real Life • On July 13, 1999, we started composting food waste from our main cafeteria and mixed shredded newspaper as necessary. We were using a ratio of 4 pounds of newspaper to 12 pounds of food. It took approximately one and half hours for one person to feed the worms this way.

19. Problems • The cafeteria personnel were reluctant to work with us because they did not understand why they were feeding worms. • After two and half months of feeding the bin newspaper and food we started to notice dry spots throughout the bin. • Worms were crawling out a dying for about a week before we realized the temperature of the bin was too low.

20. Solutions • Completed an in-service training with cafeteria staff and worked closely with mangers to make sure we had compliance. • We started to water the bin more often and with increased participation fro the cafeteria we were able to feed the bin more often. We stopped feeding the bin newspaper and started using cardboard. We also used a smaller ratio of 1 to 12 paper to food. • We adjusted the temperature and began to monitor it on a daily basis.

21. Long Term Goal • To be able to compost all food waste and non-hazardous animal lab waste by adding 8’ sections to the container to increase the capacity

22. Expenses and Payback • We received three grants totaling $37,000 • Total costs has been $55,000 which does not include labor for first year • Our tip fee at the incinerator is $59.50/ton • Payback will be in approximately four years