Worm Composting Bin for Classrooms
Worm-bin composting offers students a chance to learn how to turn organic waste into compost treasure using industrious worms. A simple shallow container allows the worms to flourish in a well-aerated blend of bedding and food sources. Does this Spark an idea?
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Types
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The easiest type of worm composting bin for a classroom entails converting a Rubbermaid storage tote into a worm bin by adding ventilation holes or screened openings. Children can also maintain a plastic stacking commercial bin or help build a large wooden or cinderblock bin situated outdoors to handle cafeteria scraps.
Considerations
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Adults can gather the storage tote, a drill and bits to add ventilation and drainage holes to a homemade bin. The University of Illinois Extension recommends adding torn newspaper as bedding, first moistening the newspaper with water in a plastic bag. After soaking overnight, place the paper in the bin and fluff it up.
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Time Frame
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Add a cup or two of chopped food scraps to the fluffed newspaper as well as 1 lb. or 2 lbs. of red wiggler worms. Provide as feedstock potato peelings, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, celery, apple peels and cores, banana peels, cornmeal, oatmeal or crushed grapefruit, as well as coffee grounds and tea bags. Feed the worms every few days, after all their previous batch of food is consumed. After two to four months, the classroom will have a bin of finished compost to harvest.
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References
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- Photo Credit Noah Clayton/Photodisc/Getty Images
