Vermicomposting Toronto

Community Rating

8.12069
Rating: 
8.12069

Vermicomposting Toronto is a plan to install environmentally sustainable vermicomposting systems for processing pre-consumer organic waste produced in community organizations. Vermicomposters and organic collection services will be maintained by organization's clients. This will provide a beneficial and stimulating activity for clients as well as providing a revenue-stream for the organization.

Contestant organization: 
Green Connections
Venture partners: 

Cathy's Crawly Composters, Common Ground Co-operative Inc.

Describe your venture: 

Vermicomposting Toronto is a plan to install environmentally sustainable vermicomposting systems for processing pre-consumer organic waste produced in community organizations. Vermicomposters and organic collection services will be maintained by organization's clients. This will provide a beneficial and stimulating activity for clients as well as providing a revenue-stream for the organization.

Insulated vermicomposting (worm composting) systems can digest tonnes of organic waste and turn it into nutrient rich Worm Casting compost. The finished product (Worm Castings) has a high commercial and environmental value and can constitute a new profit stream by the participating community organizations.

This system has already been successfully installed in one local community organization (Coffee Shed – Surrey Place, Toronto: see video link below) and we would like to expand it across the GTA.

The insulated design of the Vermicomposter means the system will continue to operate outdoors, year round. This is a proven design that will expand as needs grow. Similar units have been in operation for a number of years in Toronto, Nova Scotia and Michigan. The vermicomposter will be able to process most of the pre-consumer food scraps produced in the kitchen, cafeteria or coffee stations. This system will also be expandable. When more organics are produced, the number of worms will increase to match the increased food source.

The system is an above ground, wooden structure measuring 12’x4’x3’ (Please see sample pictures below). This unit will has an area of 48 square feet and would accommodate up to 50,000 Red Wiggler worms. The worm bin would be insulated in the walls and lid with Styrofoam insulation allowing the worm bin to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The final product in the vermicomposting process is worm castings (castings is the polite term for worm poo). These castings are nutrient rich and are one of nature's finest soil additives. Valued by gardeners and farmers alike for its incredible effect on plant growth and health.

Worm Castings can be screened and sold in bulk or formed into “Poo Balls” and sold by the dozen. Worm Castings are an environmentally friendly choice for fund-raising programs. A product that is not only environmentally friendly but continually reproducing at no extra cost.

Emissions reduction potential: 

Red Wiggler worms eat approximately half their weight in food scraps daily. Because of their incredible appetite Red Wigglers are valued for their ability to convert vast amounts of organic waste into a nutrient rich organic soil amendment. A worm bin with 50,000 Red Wigglers will process 25 pounds of organic waste daily. That's over 9,000 pounds of organic waste that doesn't have to be shipped across the province each year! Instead of rotting in the landfill, off-gassing methane and other greenhouse gases,  the organics are processed at source responsibly.

On-site management of organics reduces the number of trucks collecting organic waste on Toronto streets.

The team: 

Cathy Nesbitt: Chair of Green Connections, Worm Advocate and founder of Cathy's Crawly Composters.

Cathy's Crawly Composters (est. 2002) is an environmental business specializing in Vermicomposting and organic diversion. Through inspirational story telling and an incredible sense of humour, Cathy has raised the level of awareness about sustainable living. Cathy has been acknowledged with several environmental and business awards, and is recognized as one of the country’s foremost vermicomposting experts.

 

Rick Nesbitt: Head Worm Technician – Cathy's Crawly Composters.

With several years experience growing and cultivating worms in GTA, Rick has designed and built vermicomposting systems that will survive a Canadian winter.

 

Seeking collaborators: 
Yes
Potential collaborators should contact : 
Cathy Nesbitt [email protected] 1-888-775-9495
How will you ensure your project is self supporting within five years?: 

Once the initial construction and setup of the Vermicomposting system is established there is very little cost to maintaining the system. Sales of the finished product (Worm Castings) will even provide some income moving forward. There is also income potential from tipping fees from collecting organic matter from surrounding facilities.

Staff and clients from the proposed organizations will be trained to care for and maintain the Vermicomposters. Cathy's Crawly Composters will provide support and the “Worm Hot-Line” will be available for assistance and trouble-shooting.

Video: 
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Comments

Cathy is the most dynamic and sincere small business owner I have ever met!

You won't be disappointed in chosing her.....

chris winter's picture

Agreed. She's also a great community animator!

Of course, there are a lot of amazing and dyamic people out there, some new and some who have been tilling the soil for years.  Keep it up, everyone.

karthik26's picture

Never expected people to get such smart ideas........

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Very important in the present world.....and for future

chris winter's picture

Whoever is lowballing proposals, it's time to fess up.

At 11:40, I was the second person to give Cathy a ten, putting her at the top of the list with 2 votes and an average of 100.  2 x 100 = 200

At 11:43, there were three votes and her average score was 70.  3 x 70 = 210.  The last vote was a deliberate lowball.

There are a lot of dedicated and wonderful people participating in this process.  While we are expected to engage each other and get our friends to support our proposals, the deliberate act of lowballing proposals is lower than low.

I would call you a worm, but that would be disrespectful to Cathy's work and passion.

chris winter's picture

At 11:53, the project is now 4 votes for an average of 55.  4 x 55 = 220.  That's two one-star votes in short order.

Next?

Community involvement, Reduction of waste.

This proposal is a turn-key solution that, for a modest up front investment, delivers multiple times over by:

  1. reducing municipal waste costs,
  2. eliminating the harmful carbon emissions from processing organic waste,
  3. producing nutrient-rich castings to replenish depleted local soils, and
  4. providing an income stream for the vermicomposting institutions.

There's no downside or risk to this proposal. It's a no-brainer!
Way to go Cathy!!

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Go Bigger!

Increase the investment and scope to implement it beyond the Toronto core.

Thank you Sustainableme! Well written.

Lon's picture

good idea - and good points around emissions reduction potential - i totally think so as well.  I'm wondering why vermicomposting hasn't gone mainstream after all these years.  I'd love to see a more single family home type of turn-key solution.  i'd also like to see more on scaling this further with clients such as restaurants or hospitals - there's lots of room to grow here.

and to add to chris-winter's point on low-balling - it's happened repeatedly to my submission, it's made me not want it on the leaderboard in case it serves as a target.  very unfortunate.  

Thank you for your feedback Lon. It hasn't gone mainstream for fear of worms. Fear is the unknown so education is key.

It's a win-win plan! Not only can the residents feel good about producing less garbage, they can actively participate in the natural wonder of turning food waste into useful compost and worm castings for gardening.

Thanks Renee! Worm Composting offers a simple solution to manage food scraps on-site.

I agree, Cathy is very energetic at advocating vermicasting. The reason why it hasnt gone main stream is because as of now separating earthworms from the finished material required work, and instructions helped the users to not over-water or over-feed the worms.

New error-proof technology is on the way however (this is a plug :). This new vermicasting device will fit in households and elsewhere, will require less labor and vigilance on part of the user, and will make Cathy's work easier!

Thank you for your input and kind words Hala! With your expertise and passion for vermiculture, more people will be able to appreciate and welcome worms into their homes and businesses. There are many innovative ways to manage our "garbage", worm composting is definitely a part of the solution.

 

This is an outstanding idea, a project good for the environment, with no harmful emissions.  Worms doing all of the work of nature, and not asking anything in return.  Communities, and families can feel good about disposing of compostable food waste and benefitting from the soil rich castings in return.  Who would have thought worm poo could be fun.    

How could this proposal be improved?: 

The only way to improve an idea as such would to be to get more people on board.  From neighbors and friends, to small rural towns, followed by larger cities and even corporations.  An idea and means of managing our waste that has finally come to the fore front. All should embrace this easy solution.  

Combining of two wonderful causes.  Prvoding meaningful work and educational opportunites for people while contributing ot our environment.  Proven technology

This is a great initiative. The proposal is clear and and the video is helpful. I only wonder, who are you hoping to target first? There seems to be a lot of room for growth, as mentioned in other comments, but who is your planned audience as you move forward (big corporations, small businesses, residential areas, etc.)?

Best of luck! 

We are initially looking at setting up vermicomposting in existing organizations (eg. group homes, shelters, etc.)

 

Toronto always needs garbage solutions.

Should be mandated for all of Toronto's Elementary Schools.  This would teach students about our relationship with the other living things in the envirionment, about how much garbage is produced, and responsibility of caring for dependents.

Thanks Liz! Yes, we're working on that too! Teach a child that a banana peel is food for a worm, they never have to be re-educated. It is never "garbage" to them.

I like the concept, what is the revenue structure?

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Include more of a business strategy

Thanks for your feedback Jonathan. First of all, vermicomposting is an aerobic process, meaning with oxygen. It should never smell like rotting food. If it smells like rotting food, it is rotting food and not composting.

Revenue will come from the sale of worm compost. As the program grows, it can be expanded to include organic matter from surrounding locations. A collection fee would be applied.

 

What a clever idea!  I cannot believe worm poo can be this useful!

How could this proposal be improved?: 

It would be nice to see many more people get on board! From neighbouring cities to government initiatives.  Good start though.

It's nature's finest! All we need to grow delicious, nutritious food and beautiful flowers too!

With 5 hearts each, worms have more than enough love to go around! We just need to get out of their way and let them do their magic. There is no downside to this proposal.  Cost effective from the residential home owner through to municipal applications, you might say this works from the ground up in every way.

I have known Cathy for several years now and regardless of the general public's lack of knowledge or potential skeptism, Cathy is a tireless advocate on this subject. I can't imagine anyone more committed to seeing this work. Spend 5 minutes with her, you'd be giving her a 10 too.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Trust me...she's thought it all through after all these years - there is no downside.

Thanks Joanne! The worms are definitely the stars of this show.

Strengths: achievable, realistic, can be embraced by a broad section of each local community.

Weakness: no demonstrable organization or template (I may just not have seen it, to be honest)

How could this proposal be improved?: 

If the space is available, a few quantifiers. Management Measures! (again: I haven't seen the detailed proposal)

It is long overdue. Being in the green world myself and being an advocate of Fostering Sustainable Behavior and Dr. Douglas McKenzie-Mohr, I have witnessed the whimsical cycle of environmental initiatives. In the 80's, after the introduction of the blue box system in Ontario, I would travel with a heritage display of packaging materials to environmental fairs. I talked with school children and understood how their influence could change the habits and attitudes of their parents.

Cathy has always known this.

I was a member of Canadian Organic Growers in the 80's and attended long-time organic grower Mary Perlmutter's talks. We all read "Worms Eat my Garbage" by

 

The main strength behind this proposal is Cathy herself. She and her husband are a driving force behind Green-based community action in their own community and, through their business, are spreading the word (and ACTION) about the benefits of vermicomposting world-wide. Cathy is an enthusiastic, inspirational speaker and her presentations at schools in Southern Ontario are motivating change and promoting awareness in children and educators alike.

Cathy's (and Rick's !) passion for this project and others like it will kindle others to the concept of vermicomposting as not only a viable means of diverting waste from landfills, but an IMPERATIVE one.

Go Cathy's Crawly Composters!! You are changing the world for the better--every day!

 

 

oilnomore's picture

Worms are powerful soil enhancer. Worms in soil tell you how health the soil is ecologically speaking. Worm compost can be sold in many ways.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

One of the best ways to market your product is to make compost tea and bottle it for sale. Good for vegetable garden and indoor plant nutrient.

Thank you! There are a variety of ways to create revenue with worm castings. Compost tea use is definitely on the rise.

This proposal is of a scale that people see and relate to, especially young people.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Use it as a teaching tool for school children. Show them a real world practice that they could do themselves that has an impact. 

Thank you for your feedback Dave!

Some teachers have reported having a worm bin in the classroom, some of the children will eat better. What a wonderful benefit!

Vermicomposing produces great fertilizer!  By demonstrating at multiple sites the ability to do outdoor vermicomposting even during Canada's cold winter months will certainly raise public awareness and interest.

We love what Cathy does in the community and the amazing things her worms help grow! Small ventures like hers make our city and province sustainable and green. We live in a city with many gardeners and people committed to building a healthier future. There are many organizations that will benefit from this project, from housing cooperatives, to schools and community development hubs. Cathy's proposal is sound and feasible. Our vote is for the worms (and Cathy of course). plus the wiggly beings do love our coffee chaff and grounds and put to good use our organic waste.

I have had the opportunity to know Kathy for many years and she is even more enthusiastic about Vermicomposting now than she was when I first met her. If anyone is going to make her project successful it is KAthy - she is also a marketing whirling durvish when it comes to getting people caught up in the process and the project and when it comes to getting things done.

You cannot go wrong with Kathy and her worms. They eat what we don't want and they guve us such a nice by-product.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

I think Kathy's Bio reflect her nature to not glorify herself but a little more information about her and her community involvement would provide a better reflection of the quality of person and her organization is.

 

Great idea, it should be proposed for all co-ops and THC

 

Global change happens most effectively from the grassroots and Cathy's project focuses on just that.  Something individuals and organizations can do that will make a big difference.

Cathy displays 2 character traits that I greatly admire: Conscience and Courage.  She is the real deal and a true leader in Green Business.  She walks her talk and truly cares.  Good luck Cathy!

Heather's picture

I'm so glad that you're proposing the idea of year-round vermicomposting. I know lots of people who vermicompost indoors (myself included), but we're often limited by space in our apartments. And the fear of worms you mentioned...lots of people simply don't want to keep worms in their homes. So the idea of having an outdoor vermicomposter that can be used year round is fantastic. And while I agree that community groups are a good focus for a large-scale operation, I also immediately thought of apartment dwellers...and I, personally, would put a small-scale version of your bin on my balcony.

I can see how these worm bins would be extremely useful to community gardens, mainly as a source of fertilizer and an alternative and more efficient option to the traditional backyard composter. I work on urban rooftop gardens (check out my proposal), and I'm wondering if your system would be compatible on a rooftop, or even a balcony, where the temperatures and weather conditions are a bit more extreme? Weight of the composter could also be an issue in this situation...

But it's another way to make gardens self-sustaining and close the gap:
1. Grow food in your garden
2. Use that food on site in kitchen and/or nutrition program
3. Compost the organic waste from your garden and kitchen
4. Use compost to amend soil in garden
...and repeat

How could this proposal be improved?: 

I'm interested to learn more about the cost of installation, how scalable the size of the bins are while still remaining usable year-round, and if they can be used on balconies and rooftops!
I'm also curious to know if you have any general information on the properties of the compost teas produced, with respect to nutrient values, or how it compares to a traditional liquid organic fertilizer?

As population is growing, waste is also growing in the society. Sustainable vermicomposting systems will be helpful to convert waste in to useful material and we can use it again and by that way we can save the environment. This system helpful to dispose waste in mennare which may not produce other harmful effect on environment.  

How could this proposal be improved?: 

This is the most valuable step taken by Cathy to save community and environment. 

oilnomore's picture

I love this project, but I forgot to rate it.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

So here is my rating:10

Vermicomposting is a real good thing for using the organic waste. I have also experienced that you can use your former organic waste after some time for gardening etc. and that it is very nutrient. I like the idea of improving the whole process with these worms and that you developed this vermicomposter system that can be used outside the whole year.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Local gardeners can be enganged into this product as a customer using the worm castings for their plants and making the project more popular.

JLanger's picture

Worms have caught everyone's imagination, it's so obvious.  The technical issues still seem to need fully resolving, especially since it can't work on personality/dedication alone, although that counts of a lot.  Would be good to get some validated analysis of the GHG reduction potential.  

How could this proposal be improved?: 

You indicate 9,000 pounds of organic waste -- is this based on Ontario or Toronto?  How much could be handled in this project in 3 years?  10 years?   What would that take to implement?  Interested in the practicalities, in terms of dissemination, maintenance, distribution, etc. 

This proposal is the start of making worms mainstream. They should be doing this wonderful work for us. They do it best, with all of the environmentally friendly benefits. Making worms the first choice in organic "waste" management allows us the opportunity to easily replenish local, especially urban gardens, leading to all kinds of other benefits like healthy gardens. Cathy is so motivated, dedicated, knowledgeable and generous that this project will be a tremendous success for all involved!

How could this proposal be improved?: 

To be able to get as many diverse partners involved to show the many situations that this project can be used for and the benefits. 

I can't say enough about the full circle benefits of this program. So many solutions for our waste reduction plans involve the continued use of energy, creation of emissions, etc. Providing people with a way to take responsibility for their own waste while creating a beneficial and useful product is a concept that should be applied whenever and where ever possible. This is so very exciting!

How could this proposal be improved?: 

I just want to know more! Will the bins be available in various sizes to accomodate various households/facilities? How will the challenge of 'worm fear' be addressed? Beyond education...can I assume that hands on (the worms that is) is not necessarily necessary?

Cathy's spirit and dedication to her passion - vermicomposting and WORMS - is inspiriational!  This project simply puts action first where action is needed.   I truly believe that Cathy will take this project, make it successful and better yet make it duplicatable!  It will be a WORM REVOLUTION!!! Making communities Greener one worm at a time :)

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Make it much bigger and involve more communities - spread the word!

The most dynamic, energetic proponent of the enviroment I have ever had the pleasure to deal with. Go Cath Go!

Wonder work keep up the good job

idea is good......

With Cathy at the helm it is sure to be a success.  She is  a passionate business person with a vivid vision to make our lives cleaner and healthier. 

Well done Cathy, you did a great job in saving our environment. I think this would be a farmula to convert the wastes on the earth into useful organics which will utilize to improve the richness of the soil. The video you have posted helps to understand how it works. And your idea of generating funds from worm casting(final product) is really good. It will solve the problem of funding to the great extent. But Cathy could you tell me how many days it takes to convert into the organics?

I think this is the perfect one, there is no harmful effects of this. I percept our ancesters used this farmula for gardnening and farming.

 

How could this proposal be improved?: 

It can be improved by joining hands with other people. Then they can know about it and become the part of this ecofriendly system. The best way is to give knowledge about it to all the school going so they can understand and adopt it on individual level at their own homes. And one by one it would become a huge group.

It can be improved if privates companies work with you guys. It is important achieve the donations to develop a better introduction of this.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

You should open your strategy to the population by 24 houras or metro newspaper.

This is good idea regarding appropriate disposal of waste in way that it harm less to the environment.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

Disposal of waste is necessary to save the natural resources and save environment. We should support and expand it to get support from all cetizens. Good Luck Cathy for profitable business.

I think this is one of the best way  of vermicomposting  by utilising the waste and proccessing it into  poo balls which gives additional usage with no extra cost. I would like to congratulate Ms Cathy for  invaluable contribution which she has made to the environment. This is a best way for safeguarding our environment by recycling  and not  exploiting natural resources which are non renewable in nature.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

 The only thing which i personally feel can be improved is that they should work on large scale for example: by merging themselves with the other ones to  work at larger level which would surely influence  their  level of productivity.

Matt Wood's picture

I love this idea. It's simple. It's effective. It's been around for millions of years, with a modern twist.

How could this proposal be improved?: 

However much us greenies think its fun to talk about 'worms', 'soil', and 'poo', you have to remember that we are the 1%. This fantastic idea will have a hard time becoming big until it can be dressed up a bit. I'm going to bet your small business partners would like to get some recognition and splash from their participation in this but are hesitant to talk about 'poo' or 'worm tea' while they are serving your double-fudge-salted-carmel-machiatto. You have some potential with "vermi" but you need to develop a vocabulary that will make everyone who unknowingly participates in this, and who really doesn't care where their garbage goes, feel good about it. Best of luck and I'd be happy to help if you get funded.

I guess it is a brilliant idea to perform vermicomposting on a large scale. This process is a very ecofreindly way to improve the physical structure of the soil as it enriches the soil with micro orgasims. It also helps in enhancing crop yeild and plant growth. All together it also helps the evironment by eliminating bio wastes. It also is a very low cost process 

How could this proposal be improved?: 

This should not only be followed on a large scale basis but also in a small scale basis. Every individual should perform this in their backyard

Good idea..

tmann6's picture

Vermicomposting is a good idea , we need healthy products to grow. It  enriches the soil that will be better for the environment we live in . This proposal is very eco friendly also as I said enriches the ground and the soil to be more bio. It will help grow more organic fruits and vegetables rather than eating injected ones that are muatilized into giant and with less flavor .

Worm poo is a great composting material used in this environment , because we get many healthy fruits and vegetables grown  that are pure for healthy lifestyle.

 

How could this proposal be improved?: 

I belive that it should keep going and should be used by many countries around the world , specialy the third world countries , if they can compost they will get better crops and more growth of economy and export which will  make money for economy .We should all use the eco friendly procudts to save our  beautiful earth and help out .

I like the initial plan for small communities and shelters, but I think where there is real waste is restaurants and just the average homeowner.  As much as I love/hate paying for organic bags to put my organic waste into, and have it stink up my kitchen every week, I'd love to have perhaps a scaled down version of your box in my backyard, so not only can I save on the cost of bags and odor, I can actually make use of the castings for my garden..

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