Hi firefightergal,

I have not tried composting the tea bag wrappers, they usually go into the paper recycling (you do paper recycling, don't you?) I have however composted coloured newspaper as well as some glossy paper in small quantities. My theory is that if earthworms can handle radioactive waste (just search for "earthworm radioactive") then glossy paper should not pose a problem. I have also composted the tea bags (once used of course) with strings and tags attached.

Hope your worms arrive safe and sound.

Here is a link that might be useful: Radioactive waste disposal using earthworms

Hello pyropunk,

I live in a small rural city that just started recycling two years ago and in a townhouse complex that does not participate at all. I have asked that they do as well as asking the city how I could do so just my family with no help from either.

We are trying to do our part and in so have decided to use worms to compost our food scraps as well as what paper products can be recycled.

We have purchased and are setting up 3 18gal bins in a stacking system with the bottom one being a catch for any tea that might pose a problem. I live in the desert where temps at or above 120 are not at all uncommon so it will be an indoor bin which will be kept in a hall closet.

We're starting with 2 lbs of worms for a family of four in hopes that at some point in the future we are able to compost all of our table and paper scraps.

Thank you for the link, I will check it out.

Hi firefightergal,

Recycling isn't all that hard. I must say it's a bit easier for me because I work not even 100m away from a collection facility, but it should not involve too much work even if that's not the case.

I got myself 4 of these rectangular (what you would call Rubbermaid) containers. I'm not sure what size they are but I guess they are around 50 litres (13 gallons). I labelled them Glass, Paper, Metal and Plastic. Then during the day whatever collects in the house that is recyclable gets 'thrown' into a corner. I also use a 2 litre (about 4 pints) ice cream tub to collect all the kitchen waste for the wormies. Every morning I quickly sort the collected recyclables into the correct container and then go and feed my little 'sausages'. Doesn't take 5 minutes.

When a container is full I stick it into the car and at lunch time quickly hop over to the collection facility and drop it off. Recycling done.

Just a warning about 'worm herding': It's addictive, as can be seen from these stories!

I'm glad to be of help.
Alex

Here is a link that might be useful: Addiction

Thank you very much for the wonderful ideas!

As to the teabags and wrappers, as long as they are paper I just throw in the bin without any problems. The actual teabag will break down over time in the bin but a little slower than paper so I leave them out to dry and then cut them into a few pieces to speed up the process.

If you are looking to eventually handle all of your household scraps by the worms then eventually make a flow through system as described in the thead here on garden web. I set up just a garbage can one year with holes for drainage in the bottom and would just layer the food on with new bedding on top and I couldn't believe how much the worms could process and the amazing population explosion I witnessed.

Your 2 pounds of worms will multiply quickly if your bin conditions are optimal.

Here is a link that might be useful: flow through bin

hiya: quick tea bag note: i do tend to rip out the tiny staple if there is one connecting the string to the bag. not that i imagine they're any big threat to the wormies, but hate the thought of the little guys accidentally scooting by one and getting scraped.