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Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 5) Technology, Science Research & Development Discussion Forum
RaptorTexas
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A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 2
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 Corporate Waste Processing - 2009/05/12 22:43 I'm in the corporate world and my corporation ships many tons of trash to the landfill each year. One of our goals in the next few years is to reduce our land fill waste by 25%. I'm talking about a facility that employs 15,000 to 20,000 people at one site. It has bothered me that the paper towel waste from restrooms accounts for such a high percentage (by volume) of our landfill destined waste. Since I raise worms myself and use some paper products in the mix, I've often wondered if there is any research showing vermicomposting as a viable means to process industial volumes of paper waste. So, my primary question is: Can vermicomposting be used to process waste where the food/bedding is a very high percentage of already moist paper towels? We have cafeterias on-site that may provide some food waste but, my suspicion is that there wouldn't be enough food variety and microbial activity to sustain a worm population. Has anyone seen vermicoposting used in an industrial setting such as this?
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digger51
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A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 33
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 Re:Corporate Waste Processing - 2009/05/13 07:24 I think it could be done. However, your company would have to make a division just for the vermicomposting.
They would have to have a site for this where there is water available. It would take a full time staff to run and I don't see any return for the company. The higher ups would have to be very green minded to want to go that route. The possible return would be worm casting to sell. That would be down the road though.
With the profit at any cost mentally that prevails in today's market place I just don't think any company would consider to take on such a task. The old way of life that I grew up on is no longer out there, where companies were more proud of their service. It seems to be more of a greed based system that prevails now.

Digger
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digger51
User

A Juvenile Earthworm
Posts: 33
graphgraph
 
 Re:Corporate Waste Processing - 2009/05/13 07:25 I think it could be done. However, your company would have to make a division just for the vermicomposting.
They would have to have a site for this where there is water available. It would take a full time staff to run and I don't see any return for the company. The higher ups would have to be very green minded to want to go that route. The possible return would be worm casting to sell. That would be down the road though.
With the profit at any cost mentally that prevails in today's market place I just don't think any company would consider to take on such a task. The old way of life that I grew up on is no longer out there, where companies were more proud of their service. It seems to be more of a greed based system that prevails now.

Digger
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RaptorTexas
User

A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 2
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 Re:Corporate Waste Processing - 2009/05/15 00:19 Thanks for the insight; my company is "green" minded and has an entire department that is dedicated to environmental issues. I'm curious if there are any other companies or industries that utilize vermicomposting to process large amounts of paper waste. Do worms require a diverse diet? Is there enough biological activity in decomposing paper products to sustain a worm populaton?
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wellsworms
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A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 624
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 Re:Corporate Waste Processing - 2009/05/15 08:28 RaptorTexas wrote:
Thanks for the insight; my company is "green" minded and has an entire department that is dedicated to environmental issues. I'm curious if there are any other companies or industries that utilize vermicomposting to process large amounts of paper waste. Do worms require a diverse diet? Is there enough biological activity in decomposing paper products to sustain a worm populaton?

Add some food waste from the cafeteria and you have a great combination just be sure to shread the paper.

Is there room on the company property to compost / process this material outside?

Post edited by: wellsworms, at: 2009/06/01 11:19 FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008
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wellsworms
User

A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 624
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 Re:Corporate Waste Processing - 2009/06/01 11:22 Is there room on the company property to compost / process this material outside?
 FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008
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wellsworms
User

A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 624
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 Re:Corporate Waste Processing - 2009/06/08 12:39 Hi Raptor:
Do you compost out side or indoors? FEED IT TO THE WORMS
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008
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