Vermiculture Technology for Recycling of Solid Wastes and Wastewater by Earthworms into Valuable Resources for their Reuse in Agriculture (Organic Farming) while Saving Water and Fertilizer

Abstract

A revolution is unfolding in studies about earthworms (Sir Charles Darwin’s ‘unheralded soldiers of mankind) for biological recycling of all human wastes (solid wastes & wastewater) and using the recycled products & resources generated (vermicompost, treated nutritive water & earthworms biomass) to promote sustainable agriculture (organic farming) without agro-chemicals. The conventional methods of solid waste management by disposal in ‘engineered landfills’, wastewater treatment by treatment plants with sludge generation (biohazard) and their disposal in secured landfills are all highly expensive and also affect the environment by emitting huge pollutants & greenhouse gases inducing global warming. Construction of engineered landfills incurs 20-25 million US dollars upfront before the first load of waste is dumped. Landfill emits toxic trace gases like ‘xylene’ & ‘toluene’ & powerful greenhouse gases like methane (CH4) & nitrous oxides (N2O). STPs also emit CH4 & N2O. Molecule to molecule methane is 22 times and nitrous oxides 312 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. In 2005, landfill disposal of MSW contributed 17 million tons CO2-e (equivalent) of GHG in Australia, equivalent to the emissions from 4 million cars or 2.6 % of the national GHG emissions. Earthworm enhances natural biodegradation and decomposition of organic waste from 60 to 80 % and the process becomes faster with time as the army of degrader worms grows, further proliferating several battalions of aerobic decomposer microbial army. Vermicomposting can divert 60-70 % MSW from landfills. Earthworms body work as a ‘BIOFILTER’ and they can treat all municipal & several industrial wastewaters removing the BOD5 by over 90 %, COD by 80-90 %, TDS) by 90-92 % and the TSS by 90-95 % from wastewater. Vermifiltration involves very ‘low energy’ as there is no churning & aeration of wastewater and no formation of ‘sludge’. We have successfully experimented in Vermicomposting of various solid wastes, even ‘hazardous sewage sludge’ from Sewage Treatment Plants & ‘cement sludge & silica dust’ from Cement Board Industries’. We have also successfully experimented in ‘Vermifiltration of ‘Municipal & Industrial Wastewater’ (even the most toxic petroleum industry wastewater). The end-products (Vermicompost & Vermifiltered Clean Water) generated were re-used for growth of cereal & vegetables crops with amazing results. Growths of crop plants are enhanced by 30–40% higher over the chemical fertilizers with highly reduced incidences of pests & diseases. Nutritive values of the Grains, Fruits & Vegetables grown on Vermicompost also increase.