This page introduces you to Vermicomposting. Also take a look at:
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Vermicomposting in Laboratory Analysis

Definition and objectives

Vermicomposting is a treatment and controlled recovery technology used on organic waste parts and when properly stabilized contribute, for example, to the reduction of organic waste deposited in landfills and increasing the levels of organic matter in the soils.

In terms of waste it can be identified as the following types:

• Biodegradable urban waste (which include household food waste);
• Sludges from municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plant;
• Green waste;
• Agricultural and forest biomass (includes manure and slurry);
• Hydrocarbons;
• Used domestic oils.

Engineering has come to develop and position itself as a low-cost method in vermicomposting, generating economies of scale – vermicompost, vermicompost tea and earthworm biomass and is available to everyone, from small to medium to large-scale solutions.

Processes

The process of vermicomposting conducted by Futuramb follows a specific set of individual operations that can be covered in household Vermicomposting Systems (vermicomposters), in rural areas (beds) or industrial waste (vermidigestors) and this last ones are the most efficient systems and Futuramb is the unique company that developes them.

Vermicomposting – Vermifertil®

Vermicompost is the result of metabolism and consequent excrements of earthworms (vermicast), rich in nutrients and microbial fauna and none decomposed organic waste mater, considered a high stability substrate.
Vermicompost improves the chemical, physical and biological components of soil, therefore improving it’s characteristics, notably increasing it’s fertility and consequent productivity due to increased capacity to retain and circulate water as well as an increased capacity to retain nutrients.

Get to know the characteristics of Vermifertil® produced by Futuramb Access the graphic

Vermicomposting Tea – Nutrifertil®

Vermicompost tea is nothing more than a watery extract with a high concentration of microbial flora (bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes), possessing a high capacity to supress pests and diseases in crop production by eliminating the use of pesticides.
It is produced during the vermicomposting process, after the production of vermicompost in a controlled environment, according to a 12 to 48 hour dilution and extraction process, in the presence of nutrients and ventilation.

Check the features of the Nutrifertil® tea, produced by Futuramb – SOON Access the graphic

Species of earthworms used in vermicomposting
The only species used during vermicomposting are the Epigenic species, defined as surface worms, inhabiting superficial areas of the soil. Species Eisenia fetida and sub-species Eisenia fetida fetida and Eisenia fetida andrei can be found in this typology. Depending on soil and climatic factors, these species are mainly used in Portugal. Simultaneously other species are used, such as Eudrillus eugeniae or Lubricus rubellus, even though they are not native and therefore not directly adapted.

Vermicomposting’s efficiency is justified when in comparison with other treatment methods because of the symbiosis and mutualism between worms and microbial fauna, relying on the essentially physical function in the first case and the physicochemical function in the second case. Another reason is that it’s essentially a continuous process, allowing the treatment of different quantities of waste, according to their scale.

If you require further clarification contact us!

Vermicomposting is a complex process as there is interaction between the chemical, physical and microbiological components, as well as between different taxonomic groups, being essential that it is developed/ practiced by the whole of the population.