During the Halloween season, thump coffee had a fun project for those who wanted to participate in the “Day of the Dead” art walk. They offered up markers and compostable cups to thumpers to ghoulishly decorate. Many created skulls and halloweenish themed pictures. I collected these cups knowing red wigglers loved to chomp on them! I weeded through the cups which were not completely covered with markers and tossed them. I was not sure how the worms would react? Would they love them or be killed?
So with this in mind, I first soaked the cups in a bucket of water.
Then I drained the colored water and did a refill.
After about two or three batches of rinses, I called it quits and left the cups to soak for a few days. Blah, I was done!
After the soaking, I introduced the red wigglers along with established compost into the bucket with the cups. The cups were quite moist to help with the decomposition. Can you spot the wigglers?
Finally,I covered them with a blanket of leaves to keep them cozy and warm. They are now munching out in my garage.
I’m curious how these containers were composted. We’re they completely digested as fast as other foods? Was there anything left over?
I’m interested in trying it with biodegradable straws.
It takes a bit longer for the compostable cups to be digested versus the food. I wish I kept track of the amount of time it took!
Hi in our class we have a worm bin. How many worm bins do you have and how many worms are in each worm bin.
Having a worm bin in your class is so cool! You’re teacher is AWESOME! I am really not sure how many worms I have in the bins. I do know I have a bunch!!
Take care and keep on wormin’
WW
I did not know that Red wigglers like plastic cups that are soaked.How many worm bins do you have,how big are your worm bins?
Thanks for your comment! The cups were actually made from compostable paper! Soaking the cups help speed up the decomposition process and make it easier for the worms to feed.
I am not too sure on the amount of worms. I do know that I have a bunch!
Take care and keep on wormin’
WW
Do you have cups in your worm bin still? How are the worms doing? Do the worms like the food? How many worms do you have in your bin? Did you study worm in high school? When did you start doing the worm bin? Nice post! I can`t wait to see your next story/post on your blog.
Hi! Thanks for your comments and questions! I see you are really interested in vericomposting which is terrific.
My red wigglers are doing awesome and have eaten all of the cups. I am actually not sure as to how many worms I have in the bin. I do know that I have a bunch.
I did not study vermicomposting in high school. I actually started 10 years ago when I was 30!! I saw a worm bin at our local Earth Day Fair and was very interested. I read a bunch of material, and then started a bin of my own!!
Take care and keep on wormin’
WW
Dear writer,
We have a worm bin in our class room. What is your educated guess about how many worms you have? I think its cool that you would take the risk and see if your worms would die if you feed them paper cups. At my home we have a huge composter. Sometimes we empty it into our garden. I hope this summer on break to expand it and make our garden even bigger! How many worm bins do you have?
Hi and thanks for your comments!
I am happy to read you have a worm bin in your class! AWESOME! I am not too sure as to how many worms I have, but I do know I have a bunch.
So great to read you have a composter at home, too! Growing your own veggies it terrific. Keep up the great work. Your helping our planet and yourself.
Take care and keep on wormin’
WW
I like how you put a picture for each step. wouldn’t the worms eat the leaves? Did the worms die from the cups?
Thanks so much for your kind words! I really like adding pictures to each step. The worms are alive and eating!
Take care and keep on wormin’
WW
So did the worms die or did they stay alive? Also we do composting in our class too, My class is Mr.Willis. Also are the cups still there? Where do you keep your worms?
Hi,
Thanks for your comment! Glad to read you are composting in your class. The cups are gone! Yippee! The worms did their job and deserve a big watermelon as a treat!
I keep my worms in my garage and insulated bins outside. There are some pictures on my website. http://www.wonderworman.com
Take care and keep on worming!
WW