Vermis. (WIP)

Unlock the Power of the Worm.

Specific description TBD

The Ask:

"Explore various systems and categories that relate to food to develop an innovative product that is designed sustainably and/or addresses a sustainability issue."

The Answer:

Vermis: A product family centered around vermicomposting that addresses wasted food by acting as an accessible gateway to more sustainable food waste practices.

Skills Developed:

- Design Research + Thinking

- Design Visualization

This project is a Work In Progress.

Everything on this page is subject to change & further refinement.

Trashing Food, Trashing the Planet.

Food waste drives about 8% of global greenhouse emissions, with the U.S. alone discarding 150,000 tons of food every day: enough to fill 1,500 Olympic-sized pools.

How Can We Introduce More Comprehensive Food Waste Education to Successfully Promote Sustainable Food Practices?

Composting.

Unlocking Accessible Composting.

Composting is perceived as intimidating, especially for those in urban & metropolitan areas, "only for those with expertise, a large amount of space & time, or a green thumb".

By exploring existing solutions, we can identify simple, easy-to-adopt composting methods that lower barriers for individuals and small families in urban settings.

What Are Some Composting Methods?

Open Air

Pros:

Low barrier-of-entry + cost
Large capacity

Cons:

Requires outdoor space
May attract pests

Best For:

Those with yard space & a mix of green + brown materials

Tumbler

Pros:

Speeds up decomposition
Keeps pests out

Cons:

Requires large space + active attention

Best For:

Those with some outdoor space who want faster results

Bokashi

Pros:

Compact
Usable Indoors

Cons:

Purchase of special bran/spray
More active management

Best For:

Small households
Meat and dairy composting

Vermicomposting

Pros:

Usable indoors + versatile scale
Produces year-round compost

Cons:

Temperature + moisture control
Limited to certain food scraps

Best For:

Apartment dwellers
Those on-the-go

What is Vermicomposting?

Vermicomposting uses worms to transform food waste into nutrient-rich compost, making it a top choice for urban dwellers seeking a versatile, low-maintenance, and space-efficient method.

Vermicomposting Process

Setup Vermicompost Bin
Prepare Bedding
Add Worms
Feed Worms

½ the weight of the worms
1-2 times a week

5. Maintain + Adjust Conditions

6. Harvest + Use Compost

Worm Tea (Liquids)
Worm Castings (Solids)

7. Repeat Steps 4-6

Worm Tea: Liquid Gold

The star of vermicomposting is its “liquid gold” worm tea: a nutrient-packed boost that enriches soil, accelerates growth, and repels pests without the need for chemicals.

It's Sustainable Magic in a Bottle.

Indoor Bins: What's Out There?

VIVOSUN

Pain Points:

Poor Moisture Management
Odor Issues
Temperature/Ventilation Flaws
Aesthetic Issues

Maze Worm Farm

Pain Points:

Poor Moisture Management
Odor Issues
Messiness
Lack of Easy Drainage

Hot Frog

Pain Points:

Durability Concerns
Odor Issues
Poor Moisture Management
Worm Migration Issues

Can-O-Worms

Pain Points:

Odor + Mold Issues
Worm Migration Issues
Poor Moisture Management
Aesthetic Issues

Takeaway:

None Truly Belong Indoors.

Design Opportunity.

A vermicompost product family addressing wasted food by acting as an accessible gateway to more sustainable food waste practices, designed for those in indoor urban & metropolitan areas.