Article Summary: Presently, over 4000 species of earthworms are discovered worldwide. The family of epigeic earthworms are widely used in vermicomposting. E. eugeniae, E. fetida, E. rubellus, E. hortensis and P. excavate species have great decomposing capabilities. The rate of waste generation in 2025 is predicted to be a 38-67 % increase of the current waste generation rates for the lower to middle-income countries.
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Vermicomposting- An optimum and minimal-time consuming solution for degradation
Composting is a time-consuming activity. According to Andleep Zahra, a biotechnologist, “This is where vermicomposting comes as an optimum solution. Vermicomposting can be used to reuse the organic waste. Vermicomposting is a biological decomposition process of organic waste but with earthworms to speed up bio-degradation. This makes it faster than traditional composting.”
2025 waste degradation predictions
Vermicompost can convert non-toxic solid waste’s organic fraction into precious vermicompost. Large-scale vermicomposting is practiced in many countries like India, Canada, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the USA, and Nepal. The rate of waste generation in 2025 is predicted to be a 38-67 % increase of the current waste generation rates for the lower to middle-income countries.
Benefits of using Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting is done using earthworms. Earthworms are effective in reducing most of the bio-available fractions of heavy metal waste in organic materials. Earthworms can accumulate heavy metals via skin absorption or in their intestine. This reduces the heavy metal concentration in soil. This makes vermicomposting a leading and beneficial methodology for waste treatment.
More than 4000 earthworms species discovered
Presently, over 4000 species of earthworms are discovered worldwide. The family of epigeic earthworms are widely used in vermicomposting. E. eugeniae, E. fetida, E. rubellus, E. hortensis and P. excavate species have great decomposing capabilities.
Journal of Cleaner Production 2023 study and Agricultural waste 2025 predictions
A 2023 study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production investigated the use of vermicomposting for agricultural waste management. They found that vermicomposting significantly reduced the volume of crop residues while producing nutrient-rich compost. Reasearchers have indicated that vermicomposting reduced the volume of crop residues by 60-70% while increasing the nitrogen content by 25% compared to traditional composting methods. Asian nations are predicted to produce between 4.0 and 5.0 kg of agricultural residue per person per month by 2025. For the speedy deposition, vermicomposting offers a solution for this residue.
Vermicomposting reduces need of chemical fertilizers
“Vermicomposting: A sustainable waste management option for organic waste” by S.N. Singh and B.D. Kalamdhad, published in the Journal of Environmental Management in 2015 says “Vermicomposting has the potential to contribute to sustainable waste management and resource recovery, with the potential to produce a valuable soil amendment and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers.”
Vermicomposting Reduces waste volume
“Vermicomposting: A sustainable waste management option,” by S.N. Singh and B.D. Kalamdhad, published in the Journal of Environmental Management in 2016 noted, “Vermicomposting is a promising technology for the management of organic waste, as it not only reduces the volume of waste but also produces a valuable soil amendment.”
Vermicomposting produces high quality compost product
“Vermicomposting: A review of the process and its applications” by M.H. Gerard and J.M. Han, published in the Journal of Environmental Quality in 2016 predicted, “Vermicomposting is a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly method for the treatment of organic waste, with the potential to produce a high-quality compost product that can be used to improve soil fertility and structure.”
These are the reasons that why vermicomposting is significant.
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