Comments on: Ten Things I Love About Terracycle

By: Bentley

Bentley — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 14:31:10 +0000

Hi Jon,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Please keep in mind that I wrote this article quite some time ago. Since then, I have in fact become somewhat more uncomfortable with what they are doing based on some things I’ve learned etc (and should probably take down this post or add a disclaimer).

I should point out, though, that I have absolutely zero issues with a “worm poop for profit” concept (or with starting any sort of worm honest composting business enterprise). We all have to earn our keep somehow, and I think it’s fantastic when people are able to launch a viable business focused on their vermicomposting passion (not referring to the Terracycle people by the way).
BUT, it should be about EDUCATING (with legitimate information) the public as much as it is about generating revenue.

One of the things I’ve always wondered about with Terracycle is the worm tea in a sealed bottle concept. There’s no way it can be microbially active (at least not with beneficial aerobic microbes anyway) yet sit on the shelf like that. Of course, they aren’t too interested in revealing their secrets in that department, so who knows.

Anyway – thanks again for chiming in. Reminds me that I need to review some of these older posts.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 09:38:18 +0000

That Terracycle guy has really latched onto your trade, yikes. I feel like the eco-capitalist approach is interesting, that is -using investors money to make money off of upcycling, but does he actually know what he’s doing? Is this actually good for the world of vermicomposting?

The instructions of the worm poop spray is to apply to dirt and leaves. Why the leaves?

He seems to be someone who, either driven by the investors interests or by his own zeal, is above all concerned with selling a product. I dont see a passion for raising awareness. What he is doing is encouraging people to buy his product, not change their consumption/disposal habits and embrace composting. If that were the case he wouldnt have a product to sell because everyone would be making their own worm tea. “We figured out how to liquify it” he says. He’s not trying to make vermicomposting more easily accessible like you are. He’s intentionally obscuring the process and claiming profit.

I will for the moment be thankful that a company is proving non chemical alternatives to household/backyard fertilizers on walmart’s shelves, and spreading ideas of recycling and upcycling to children. But, I just fear that worm poop in a can – as it blurs the line between nature and a product – forgets to mention that personal responsibility is not found in a purchase alone.

I tried to voice my discomfort. Although my ideas may seem contradictory, is anyone else feel uneasy about worm poop for profit?

By: Patricia

Patricia — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:30:42 +0000

Hello Bentley, do I need to dilute my tea? what I do is I use 2 recycle bins stacked with the active worm compost on the bottom. I water the top which drips into the bottom which drips into a round pan underneath. I then dump all the pans into a bucket and use where needed. I know it won’t hurt anything to use full strength but is it wasting by not diluting? BTW, I started harvesting my batch compost and I haven’t even made a dent after 5 wheelbarrows full and a very sore back. I realize it will take time to figure out the best way to do this short of taking a loan and buying a separater!!! LOL TIA Patricia

By: James McConeghey

James McConeghey — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:59:19 +0000

Looks like an amazing company. I’d never heard of Terracycle and am interested in learning more about them.