Vermis.

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

- Innovative Thinking

- Design Visualization

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 Compost 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.

Target Market Representation.

Emily.

Brooklyn, NY

Couple in a cramped apartment

Needs:

Space efficiency: low footprint
Easy to set up
Compost for house plants

Carlos.

Chicago, IL

Family of 3 in a larger flat

Needs:

Easy to use + maintain
Compost for balcony garden
Affordable

Priya.

Seattle, WA

Alone in small condo

Needs:

Aesthetically pleasing
Space efficiency: low footprint
Compost for Community Garden

Application: Small compost system

Application: Large compost system

Application: Compost collection bin

Presenting Vermis.

Elevated composting for modern living.

Keeping it Simple.

The final product in the vermis line, the form came together quickly and intuitively. A collection bin designed to store compost for use in the main systems or to hold solid compost for transport.

Lower impact, lasting design.

Made with sustainably sourced and responsibly selected materials to reduce environmental impact without compromising durability.

From kitchen to compost.

Easily collect food scraps and organic waste, then transfer them into your main composting system when ready.

Start small.

A compact, beginner-friendly vermicomposting system designed to fit comfortably on the countertop or under it, with the flexibility to expand as your confidence and composting needs grow.

Designed to fit your space.

Available in a range of colorways to suit your space, allowing the system to blend in or stand out while maintaining the same thoughtful functionality.

Designed for the Countertop.

Sized for everyday living, the system can sit conveniently on the countertop or be tucked away below, making composting accessible without taking over your kitchen.

Smarter composting for the home.

A large, semi-automated, scalable vermicomposting system equipped with integrated sensors for lid operation and environmental conditions to support a more effortless, home-integrated experience.

Stay fresh.

An integrated, replaceable carbon filter in the lid helps capture and neutralize unwanted smells, keeping the system fresh and suitable for indoor use.

Awareness built in.

Integrated sensing technology tracks key environmental factors, enabling more consistent conditions that reduce odor formation and pest attraction.

Endlessly Scaleable.

Start with what you need and expand as your composting habits develop, creating a system that evolves alongside your routine.

Small actions, regenerative impact.

The vermis product family provides an efficient and accessible solution for managing household organic waste through vermi-composting, supporting sustainable living practices and healthier ecosystems.