Frequently asked questionS
For WORKPLACES
Getting set up
How many worm farms will my workplace need?
How many worm farms your workplace needs depends on how many people in your workplace and how much organic waste you produce. It’s possible to stretch out the capacity of a worm farm to account for between 20 and 25 people.
If your workplace has between 2 and 25 people 1 worm will suffice, 25-50 people will need 2 worm farms, 50-75 people 3 worm farms, 75 - 100 people 4 worm farms. There are many other variables, but this is about as clear as we can make broadly.
When will my worm farms be set up?
Your local member manager will call or email you to discuss exactly how many worm farms will be necessary for your workplace and arrange a time to get you set up. We recommend choosing a time where you and staff will be available to participate in a team training session.
What’s included in the set up?
Set up includes delivery of fully functioning worm farms to your workplace. Installation in and consultation on the best location for your worm farms. We provide instructions in digital format with best practices for feeding your worms. Let us know if you’d prefer printed instructions, but we’ve found that workplaces prefer control over how their internal comms looks and feels.
How do I best prepare for team training?
In Team Training we speak with your team to galvanise sustainable company culture and empower individuals to make the right choices to support it. We cover all aspects of why, what, how, who and when in relation to vermicomposting in your workplace.
To prepare for team training let everyone know the date, time and location. Write down any questions you have to ask our expert. Training takes approximately 15 mins (we can do them in less time, and sometimes they last ages when people are curious with questions!)
We recommend doing it during your morning tea break, and use the training as a way to build company culture.
How much does it cost?
Delivery & Installation costs $40 + gst per worm farm (one-off cost).
Team Training costs $60 + gst (one-off cost).
Professional Service Membership cost varies depending on how many worm farms you have:
1-2 worm farms is $40 + gst/m per worm farm
3-9 worm farms is $35 + gst/m per worm farm
10+ worm farms is $30 + gst/m per worm farm
How does invoicing work?
You’ll receive a one-off invoice for Delivery & Installation and Team Training. Then you’ll receive quarterly ongoing invoices for your Professional Service Membership. We send you the first invoice on the day we set you up, which puts us in the clear for the next three months.
How do I pay for the service?
Payments are made through bank transfer. For memberships, set up a recurring payment for every 3 months. Use the bank details on your invoice or copied below:
38-9016-0422225-00 WHY WASTE LIMITED
Who do I contact if there’s an issue with my worm farm?
If you have any issues, contact your local Member Manager. It’s best to email them using the address listed below:
Auckland: sales@whywaste.co.nz
Bay of Plenty: bop@whywaste.co.nz
Hamilton: hamilton@whywaste.co.nz
Wellington: leo@whywaste.co.nz
Dunedin: dunedin@whywaste.co.nz
How do I cancel my membership?
We understand circumstances may change, however if you’re unhappy with the service first reach out as we’d love to hear how we can improve. If you’re ready to cancel then simply email your local member manager and they’ll arrange a time to collect your worm farm.
I’ve cancelled my membership, but I still have months I’ve paid for
We pride ourselves on not having heavy handed contracts, however this three month invoicing period means that any cancellations before the end date will forfeit the remaining amount. We can arrange to collect your worm farm as close to the end of the 3 month billing cycle as possible.
Caring for your worm farm
How regularly is my worm farm serviced?
Your local membership manager or worm expert will manage your worm farm every 4-5 weeks. Variations occur between seasons.
How do I know what day my worm farm is being serviced?
You’ll receive an email from your member manager letting you know at least one day in advance when your worm farm is being serviced.
What’s the best way to separate the waste?
Like other waste streams, it’s important to get our systems for separation right. We have containers available on request, or source your own. These are best located near where the waste is made, which is then transferred to the worm farm. Some people use ice cream containers, or larger tupperware containers that slide under the kitchen sink, others use a kitchen caddy that sits on the bench.
What should and shouldn’t go in the worm farm?
What to put in:
Paper and cardboard
Most fruit & vegetable scraps
Crushed eggshells
Teabags & coffee grounds
Untreated sawdust and wood ash
Hair and vacuum cleaner dust
Soft garden waste like weeds, dry leaves or small amounts of lawn clippings
What to leave out:
Any plastics
Fat, grease and oils
Shiny or laminated paper & card
Meat & dairy products, including eggs
Starchy foods like bread, pasta and rice
Citrus, spicy chilli, capsicum, onions and garlic
Processed foods containing preservatives
Woody or spray treated garden waste
For more details read our blog What Goes in Your Worm Farm.
What happens when we close for the Christmas break?
Don’t sweat it. If you are heading off for more than a month let us know and we’ll make sure the worms are taken care of. In any case, adding shredded paper, dead leaves or dry lawn clippings to the food helps it last longer. Water any dry material you add to your hungry bin to ensure the bin doesn't dry out while you are away.
There’s liquid in the drip tray. Is this worm tea?
No, the liquid is called worm leachate. The drip tray may slowly fill with this. Feel free to add it to nearby plants. Worm Tea is what you make using the worm castings.
What is vermicast?
Vermicast is material produced in the worm farm, also called vermicompost. You may also hear it referred to as worm castings, worm castings is just another word for worm poo. Vermicast is actually a mixture of worm castings, partially composted wastes, and any resistant materials that won’t readily break down.
How do I collect the vermicast?
Emptying the solid vermicast from the worm farm is part of our service. If you’d like us to collect the vermicast for you, please provide a 20L bucket and we will place it in the bucket.
Your member manager will empty the vermicast (worm castings) into the bucket for you. If you’d like to know how to do it yourself, watch this instructional video of Leo harvesting worm castings.
What do I do with the vermicast?
Vermicast is the key ingredient in worm tea and makes the best garden fertiliser. Learn how to use your vermicast in our Make Your Own Worm Tea article.
Are there meant to be other bugs in my worm farm?
Usually this isn’t a problem however, it may be a sign that something is out of balance. Part of our service is that you have an expert on-hand to support you when things need a tune up. If you have any concerns about the inhabitants of your worm farm, please just get in touch. Read more in our Why Are There Bugs In My Worm Farm article.
Do services still happen during lockdowns?
Why Waste is an essential service, so we do have the ability to service worm farms during all lockdown levels, however we’ll only service worm farms during level 3, 2 and 1. Our membership managers go hard and go early, so if your service week coincides with the start of a lockdown it’s possible it gets pushed back a week or two. If we do service your worm farm during lockdown, we’ll contact you first, and let us know if you’d rather we don’t visit or if you’re closed. Our membership managers will be wearing masks and gloves but please don’t approach them.