Editing Vermicompost (section)

==Feedstock==
There are few food wastes that vermicomposting cannot compost, although meat waste and dairy products are likely to putrefy, and in outdoor bins can attract [[vermin]]. [[Green waste]] should be added in moderation to avoid heating the bin.

===Small-scale or home systems===
Such systems usually use kitchen and garden waste, using "earthworms and other [[microorganisms]] to digest organic wastes, such as kitchen scraps".<ref name=":0">{{cite journal|first1=Piper |last1=Selden |first2=Michael |last2=DuPonte |first3=Brent |last3=Sipes |first4=Kelly |last4=Dinges |url=http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/HG-45.pdf |title=Small-Scale Vermicomposting |journal=Home Garden |volume=45 |publisher=University of Hawai'i |date=August 2005 |access-date=2012-10-03}}</ref>
This includes:
* All fruits and vegetables (including [[citrus]], in limited quantities)
* Vegetable and fruit peels and ends
* Coffee grounds and filters
* Tea bags (even those with high [[tannin]] levels)
* Grains such as bread, cracker and cereal (including moldy and stale)
* Eggshells (rinsed off)
* Leaves and grass clippings (not sprayed with [[pesticides]]<ref>{{cite journal|last=Reinecke|first=SA|author2=Reinecke, AJ|title=The impact of organophosphate pesticides in orchards on earthworms in the Western Cape, South Africa.|journal=Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety|date=February 2007|volume=66|issue=2|pages=244–51|pmid=16318873|url=http://www.aseanenvironment.info/Abstract/41014272.pdf|doi=10.1016/j.ecoenv.2005.10.006|bibcode=2007EcoES..66..244R |access-date=2012-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020040824/http://www.aseanenvironment.info/Abstract/41014272.pdf|archive-date=2013-10-20|url-status=dead}}</ref>)
* Newspapers (most inks used in newspapers are not toxic)
* Paper toweling (which has not been used with cleaners or chemicals)

===Large-scale or commercial===
Such vermicomposting systems need reliable sources of large quantities of food.
Systems presently operating<ref>[http://www.jgpress.com/BCArticles/2000/110051.html Latest Developments In Mid-To-Large-Scale Vermicomposting] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626062526/http://www.jgpress.com/BCArticles/2000/110051.html |date=June 26, 2012 }}</ref> use:
* Dairy cow or pig manure 
*[[Sewage sludge]]<ref>[http://www.redland.qld.gov.au/Residents/History/Oursuburbs/Cleveland/Pages/Cleveland%20timeline.aspx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003061912/http://www.redland.qld.gov.au/Residents/History/Oursuburbs/Cleveland/Pages/Cleveland%20timeline.aspx|date=October 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lotzof |first=M. |url=http://www.p2pays.org/ref/20/19982.htm |title=Very Large Scale Vermiculture in Sludge Stabilisation |publisher=Vermitech Pty Limited |access-date=2012-10-03}}</ref>
* Brewery waste
* Cotton mill waste
* Agricultural waste
* Food processing and grocery waste
* Cafeteria waste
* Grass clippings and [[wood chips]]