Vermicomposting: An Eco-Friendly Approach for Recycling/Management of Organic Wastes

Changes in life style, urbanization, intensive agricultural practices and population explosion have led to an enhanced build-up of organic wastes in the environment. These organic wastes can contribute negative impacts on the environment. The nutrient recovery from organic wastes such as kitchen waste, agricultural waste and municipal waste is an essential part of their management and for decreasing degradation of the environment. Vermicomposting technology is a promising tool for recycling/management of organic waste and is socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally sustainable technology throughout the world. Through this process organic waste is broken down by different species of earthworms, and a fine humus-like material known as vermicompost is produced. The produced vermicompost is very rich in both micro- and macronutrients like Ca, Mg, Zn, B, P, K, N, etc., useful soil microorganisms (nitrogen-fixing bacteria and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria) and plant growth promoters and hormones such as auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins and therefore can be used as an organic fertilizer for proper growth of plants. It can also be used as a replacement to harmful inorganic fertilizers. Therefore, vermicomposting technology is like killing two birds with one stone as organic waste is managed properly and at the same time organic fertilizer is produced.