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New Jerseyans go green, reducing rubbish with red wigglers

BY MARY MOSCARELLO

New Jersey generates an estimated 20 million tons of waste each year. As a county, Middlesex has the less than desirable rank the largest producer of solid waste. Two million tons of that solid waste comes from Middlesex County, a large portion of it is disposed of as garbage at transfer stations, landfills and incinerators at a high economic and environmental cost to residents.

Thanks to solid waste reduction programs and other environmentally friendly efforts to reduce waste, Middlesex County can claim a respectable recycling rate of at least 60%. That means the county is throwing away 750,000 tons of waste instead of all 2 million tons – and they’ve maintained that level or above for several years.

Richard Hills, Division Head of the Middlesex County Division of Solid Waste Management says he attributes some of the successful waste stream reduction to the work of a tiny creature most people have never heard of or even seen. Eisenia foetida – a species of earthworm, more commonly known as red worms or red wigglers are eating their way through a large portion of household kitchen waste. Red wigglers are a specific compost worm and are the best choice for composting bins. They do not burrow like earth worms and they thrive on organic waste.

“If I had to choose my favorite method of composting, hands down it would be vermicomposting. It is a low cost, relatively easy alternative to backyard composting. It fits into any type of home environment, including apartments. Red wigglers never talk back – they just eat our garbage and they poop out 100% natural organic fertilizer.”

A certified master composter, Hills knows what he’s talking about. He shares his knowledge at least two times a year through Middlesex County Solid Waste Department programs, and frequently visits schools to educate youngsters about the process.

Composting is catching on so much so that Middlesex County had to impose a cap on the free, two-hour class to just 30 people. Since classes are usually filled to capacity, the department has initiated a wait list to evaluate possibly adding more classes. A backyard composting class is scheduled for Saturday, March 26th and the next vermicomposting class is Wednesday, March 30th, at Davidson Mill Pond Park.

Highland Park resident, Irene Marx attended one of Hills’ vermicomposting classes and has been keeping her worm bins in her basement for several years. According to Hills, that is the best location for the worms, who thrive best in temperatures above freezing and below 95 degrees. Marx says she knows of other vermicomposting enthusiasts who keep their worm bins under their bed.

“It is not as gross as it sounds. The worms themselves do not smell and since you have to keep a lid on the bin anyway, they can’t climb out. Overall it is pretty low maintenance, but attending a class is a great way to get started, learn how to do it right and see how easy it is.”

To do it right you need a worm bin, bedding material, a watering can and one pound of red worms. Worm bins can be made from existing items, further reducing waste, such as an old dresser drawer or another box-shaped item at least 2 ft. X 2 ft. X 8 in. high. Avoid using cedar wood, since it is toxic to the worms. The bin needs to have proper drainage, to allow for the release a liquid called vermicompost “tea”. The tea can be sprayed on any indoor or outdoor plant life. Nutrients in the tea absorbed through the leaves have been shown to act as a natural pest repellant with anti-fungal properties.

All food scarps, except animal products such as meats and dairy items can be placed in the worm bin. A healthy worm bin can consume up to 3 ½ pounds of food waste a week. Properly maintained, vermicomposting can produce organic fertilizer in about four months.