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How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/20 14:46Is anyone familiar with Terra Cycle? They turn worm castings into plant food sold as a liquid that is basically abnout the same color as tea. Since all the microbes would need air to survive, how do they keep it from being anaerobic? Any clue?
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redhen
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 703
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/20 21:15I think they must somehow pasteurize it, or they are just selling swamp water.Susan Quinby-Honer redhen@nc.rr.com Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.
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Swimmus
User A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 95
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/20 22:01Pasteurize? How do they do that? I go into my local Whole Foods - Worm POOP at the front door. My Wal-Mart woorm poop on the shelves.... How would you go about pasteurizing it for resale. that has to be a huge market at 6 bucks a bottle.
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WFike
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 227
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/20 22:38From what I have read it is just water with some castings dissolved in it. No beneficial microbes just weak fertilizer. If people like that think how they would go crazy over the real thing!
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redhen
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 703
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/21 21:20Take a look at the video on this page. They come close to saying what it really contains but stop just short. They say it is liquid worm poop.."with other natural additives". http://www.terracycle.net/lawn.htm I should probably just contact them, as this subject has always made me wonder how they bottle, (and seal), this stuff and have a viable tea.Susan Quinby-Honer redhen@nc.rr.com Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.
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chuckiebtoo
User A Fertile Cocoon
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Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/22 09:17I agree with WFike on this one. Just because you bottle something and offer it for sale doesn't make it viable.
I've seen sealed products on retailer shelves before that obviously have no O2 source (or need). That those "products" don't smell to high heaven indicates they were never biologically active to begin with.
Of course, that's probably the reason Terra Cycle doesn't list ALL those ingredients.
RedHen, if you have any luck with them getting their "secrets", maybe you can ask Coca Cola for their formula.
Chuckiebtoo
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redhen
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 703
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/22 09:36Well, I did just write their "scientists" and asked what else they add and how adding castings to their bottles and then sealing it off without air makes a good product. I do like the whole idea that they have, of making a valuable resource from garbage. I just do not think they are selling what you might think you are buying. They certainly have the "hype thing" down pat. I wonder if you can burn a plant by using too much? Ah well..I will go hang out by my email and see what they have to say.Susan Quinby-Honer redhen@nc.rr.com Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.
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Swimmus
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Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/22 15:23Thanks red Hen. I hope they have an answer to you soon.www.wormcrusader.com
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spoonboy
User A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 1
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/05/23 15:37Hello everyone. I haven't posted here since the old site but I have actually called Terracycle to discuss their process as I was trying to figure out how to make a large batch for myself and make it last longer so I wouldn't have to constantly find myself brewing tea. They told me that it was a proprietary process developed by their team and that they could not share it with me.
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Bentley
User A Hatchling Earthworm
Posts: 21
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/05 12:22Yet another interesting topic!! I have been wondering this myself.
I've actually had email exchanges with one of the founders before, but didn't even think to ask!
I think Redhen is right - they must somehow sterilize it so that it doesn't get nasty.
While microbes are certainly important, I think there are still some other beneficial substances in vermicompost (and vermi-tea) that help stimulate plant growth (aside from regular nutrients).
I'm actually planning out a little experiment to see how Terracycle compares to regular vermicompost (and maybe I'll even try my hand at making vermi-tea). Should be interesting!
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WFike
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 227
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/05 22:37All you would have to do is sterilize the castings with high temp. steam 15 lbs.pressure and 160 degrees for 15 min and then make the tea. You would still have the micro-nutrients available but no microbes at all. Should still be a good product but not the real thing.
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Nikki
User A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 31
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/11 15:52Hey there everyone!
Nikki from the Worm Digest here!
I too have contacted Terracycle in the past and have had no response. As you know I was the one contacting everyone for the latest update for the resource pages. I contacted them as well and the only response I got was that they would send me a media package. Not a lot of help there. they really wouldnt answer any of my questions. So good luck Red Hen!!
Nikki"Nature is just enough; but men and women must comprehend and accept her suggestions." Antoinette Brown Blackwell
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redhen
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Posts: 703
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/11 18:55Nikki...I never heard a word from Terracycle. What has ever happened to the "Resource Page"? I ask every so often and always get the same answer.."It is done and is terrific"..and then nothing happens.Susan Quinby-Honer redhen@nc.rr.com Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.
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Nikki
User A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 31
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/13 09:58Redhen,
The resource page is just about complete. Here at the Worm Digest we have extended our research and wanted to make sure we got as much information on resources that we could find. We have a few more resources to add and then it will be complete!! The resource page should be coming out in the next few days. It was very exciting and educational for me to be able to talk with so many different people in the worm business. I know I have learned a lot. I know the resource pages will be a great deal of help to everyone looking for any info.
The resouce page has taken a bit longer than expected because I/we wanted to make sure you get the most accurate information as possible.
Thanks Nikki"Nature is just enough; but men and women must comprehend and accept her suggestions." Antoinette Brown Blackwell
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Andy Dufresne
User A Hatchling Earthworm
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Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/15 14:53Unfortunately, I heard this week from a very reliable source, Terra Cycle is in very big trouble with their new lawsuit initiated by Scotts.
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fourmares
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 126
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/15 15:46The lawsuit doesn't seem to have much merit. Scotts / Miracle Grow is claiming that the Terra Cycle packaging looks to similar to Miracle Grow. Both are yellow and green and have flowers on the label, but that's where the similarity stops. Scotts has also asked that Terra Cycle hand over proprietory information and studies supporting Terra Cycle's claims that it's product is as good as the leading synthetic fertilizer. The biggest problem for Terra Cycle is that it is a start up company that only makes 1.5 million a year. Now it has to pay lawyers and experts to defend itself against a company that makes 20 times more than it does.
Whether Terra Cycle is a great company or not, this kind of lawsuit should piss us all off. This is the reason that we have less and less products to choose from when we go to the hardware store. Maybe we should all send off emails to Scotts/Miracle Grow and they to shame them into dropping this suit.
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WFike
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 227
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/15 16:53The object is to get rid of Terra Cycle and scare anyone else that wants to do it. They don't have to win just make them not profitable from the costs of defending themselves. That tells you all you need to know about how good castings are for plants. If they were not any good there would not be any reason to try to stop people from producing them. They can't produce them with their chemicals so they have to stop it now. Terra Cycle just needs to quit saying they are as good or better and just say "try it and you will like it that all that matters!".
Post edited by: WFike, at: 2007/06/15 16:55
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Andy Dufresne
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Posts: 24
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/16 00:39WFike and fourmares,
You are both correct. But, I have someone very reliable that is close to the situation. My source is good. Terra-Cycle appears to be finished and they do not know it.
The problems Terra Cycle are facing are multiple. . .
1) is their product is tanking in the stores (Let's face it. It's just not that good) I bet everyone who participates in these forums has a better vermicompost product. Unfortunately, TC products are too much hype.
2) is the owner has personally pissed off alot of people by blatantly overhyping himself as the next Bill Gates and totally misrepresented his product line. That alone is against the law. He cannot justify his misrepresentations.
3) they were warned several times by Scotts to respect certain trade dress issues. Like spoiled little kids they not only ignored the warnings, they flagranting abused the advice. Scotts had no other alternative.
4) on their website, they are using the David-Goliath scenario to rally all the tree-huggers vs corporate big brother to gain publicity. They want big publicity from this lawsuit. It's transparent. It's back-firing. All the in-the-know real folks are staying away from them.
Don't get me wrong. Like fourmares wrote, (mass emails) I always have sympathy for the little guy. But, this little guy poked the sleeping dog too many times. The word from the inside says this dog is definitely going to bite.
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Kaiser Soze
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Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/16 01:30Andy,
There might be some truth to what you just posted. I never like to see the little guy get picked on, but my pals in the industry are saying pretty much the same as you.
I noticed the administrators at the Worm Digest are staying quiet too. I do not know if they choose to remain neutral for the website's ethics or if they have heard the same. My gut feeling tells me if this small company was getting unfairly treated, Worm Digest would be all over the story and broadcasting the injustice.
I guess it will be a wait and see situation.
Kaiser
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Kyle
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 121
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/16 11:07The main problem. As i see it. This hurts our cause. We are in the very fragile beggining. Any negative press is bad for our products and practices.
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Nikki
User A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 31
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2007/06/19 09:13Hello everyone,
The Worm Digest has been reviewing Scott's case against Terra Cycle, it is very lengthy I must say. This has been taking some time to read over. We are also doing a bit of research again trying to get all the facts first. So, at this time the Worm Digest will remain neutral until all the facts are presented.
Nicole"Nature is just enough; but men and women must comprehend and accept her suggestions." Antoinette Brown Blackwell
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wildcatt88
User A Juvenile Earthworm
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Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2009/03/10 19:14Does anyone know how this turned out? It's been quite a while since the last post, and from what I have seen, TC seems to be adding new products to their list all the time...John Frankfort, KY FRAGexchange.com
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ArkieGold
User A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 42
Re:How Does terra Cycle Do it? - 2009/04/10 21:15Hmmm. Interesting old topic and yes I would like to hear how it turned out.
Was just reading an article in a newsletter on worm tea's. Said addition of certain acids caused the microbes to go dormant, listing citric acid as one possible additive. Once applied it is said the microbes reactivate. I don't know about all that.
While I feel for the little guy in any big corporate dispute, I still opt to teach people and encourage everyone to make their own. It doesn't get any better than that. If you go to all the trouble or joy, whatever the case may be to start a worm bin, feed and raise the little buggars then why not take advantage of all they have to offer and learn to make your own castings/compost tea? Just add water and aerate. Arkie's Vermiculture
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