Knowledge Inventory Answers

1. These items that should not be included in worm-based compost piles because they may create odors that attract pests, deter worm activity and may not break down fully, causing biological hazards or incomplete compost.

• Pet waste

• Pesticides

• Chicken bones

• Bacon

• Sawdust (a little bit is okay!)

2. “Composting is a physical process without input from biological activity.” is FALSE. Worms or microbes drive the decomposition process.

3. What is one way that composting contributes to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions?

Composting organic waste creates a less potent greenhouse gas than the same waste breaking down in a landfill. Additionally:

• Diverts food waste from the landfill where it would be creating planet-warming methane gas.

• Compost supports healthy soil and plants that take up carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, where it is harmful in excess amounts, and sequester it in the soil, where it is beneficial.

• Inorganic fertilizers create a lot of greenhouse gases during production; using compost reduces the need for these inorganic fertilizers.

4. What are some key differences between cool/worm composting and hot/aerated static composting?

Aerated static piles can break down meat scraps, kill weed seeds, requires electricity, and produces finished compost in 30–60 days.

Worm composting produces finished compost in 3–6 months.

Both require moisture and should be kept under a thick layer of high-carbon materials.