Refuse Division

Worms As Co-Workers

Worm Composting is a Way to Manage Food Waste

December 1, 2010 | 2 min reading time

This article is 14 years old. It was published on December 1, 2010.

Got worms? Probably not. However, your work area probably generates food waste. In 2006-2007, food waste made up about 17% of the City of

St. Louis ' waste stream. How can we wiggle our way out of this waste? With worms! Vermicomposting (vermis is Latin for "a worm") is ideal for managing food waste, even in small areas likes offices and shops. We've had a worm composting bin in our office for a couple of months now. They're very comfortable in their worm bin, quietly dining on coffee grounds and food scraps (e.g., leftover bagels, stale crackers). There's no odor and no bugs. Little space is needed; our worm bin is about 2'x2'x2'.

If you're interested in composting the food waste in your office or work area, please contact the Refuse Division's Recycling Program by e-mail at recycle@stlouis.missouri.org , by fax at 314.352.5627, or by phone at 353.7176.

For information about composting with worms, please visit http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/swmp/worms/wormlist.htm.