Worm farm Project
The Worm Farm project uses a worm species commonly known as Red Wigglers* and other organisms to breakdown biodegradable waste into a rich fertilizer both in a liquid (vermi-tea) and solid form. 
*Current DNA research at North-West University (2012): the only species identified in over 10 worm farms in 4 provinces in South Africa is Eisenia andrei (not Eisenia fetida, as originally assumed).
The Worm Farm Project was started in August 2011, with the start of a pilot programme consisting of one worm farm bin. Since this time the project has expanded at consistent rate with considerable expansion planned for 2012. The project gets its biodegradable waste from a variety of sources, mainly a dining hall (Nelson Mandela Dining Hall) and Ground and Gardens. This waste is transported by volunteers involved in the project to the worm farm project site at the Grounds and Gardens head office, on a weekly basis.
The table below provides guidelines regarding the types of biodegradable waste that the worms do and don’t consume:
| Worms consume | Worms don’t consume |
|---|---|
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The mission of this project is to provide an environmentally sustainable alternative method of disposing of biodegradable waste that follows the principles and visions set out in the triple bottom line approach.
| Sections of triple bottom line approach | Vision / Principles |
|---|---|
| Environmental |
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| Social |
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| Economic |
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Get involved in the ACTION:
- Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za
Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za
