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Score

To make feeding your worm bin simple and intuitive, I developed the Bonter Vermicompost Score. It’s a clear, at-a-glance rating system that shows how suitable different materials are for your composter. Think of it as a nutritional guide for your worms, designed to help you confidently create a healthy, thriving, and effortless system.

Understanding the Vermicompost Score

The Vermicompost Score provides a straightforward rating for any given material. It assesses how easily worms process the item and its overall impact on the bin’s health, using a simple letter and color system:

A

B

C

Score A (Ideal)

These materials are readily consumed and break down quickly and easily. They form the ideal primary diet, contributing optimally to healthy, fertile vermicompost. Discover A-rated items such as Apple, kiwi, carrot, cucumber, cardboard, or coffee grounds.

See all A-rated items

A

B

C

Score B (In moderation)

These materials are generally suitable but require caution with quantity. Adding too much can potentially disturb the bin’s balance, slow processing, or lead to minor issues. Pay attention when adding these. Discover B-rated items such as avocado, mango, tomato, cauliflower, bread, or hard pits.

See all B-rated items

A

B

C

Score C (Avoid)

These materials should never be added to your vermicomposter. They pose risks like harming worms, attracting pests, causing bad odors, or simply won’t break down. These belong in a different waste stream. Some C-rated items to add with great caution are coconut, lime, peppers, onions, glossy paper, or dairy products.

See all C-rated items
Bonter vermicomposting guide food scraps

Essential information about the vermicompost score

Alongside the A-B-C rating, you will find icons that offer specific advice for each item. These provide quick, practical insights beyond the general score.

Moist

Moisture warning

High water content. Add in moderation and balance with dry ‘browns’.

Cut

Requires preparation

Chop or tear into smaller pieces to help worms process it faster.

Slow

Slow breakdown

This material will decompose more slowly than other items.

Pests

Pest alert

Can attract pests like fruit flies. Always bury well under the bedding.

Smell

Odor risk

Can cause unpleasant odors, especially in excessive quantities. Bonter One‘s built-in compostable filters prevent this.

Forbidden

Strictly prohibited

This material is harmful to your worms or the bin’s health.

A

B

C

A-rated items

The staples of a healthy worm diet. These items are easy to process and provide great nutrition.

See all A-rated items

Kiwi

Wilted flowers & houseplants

Physalis

Portobello

Hair

Mint

Pears

Blackberry

A

B

C

B-rated items

Good additions in moderation. Pay attention to quantity and balance with A-rated items.

See all B-rated items

Radishes

Envelopes

Sawdust

Sand

Cauliflower

Mango

Tea bags

Red Currants

A

B

C

C-rated items

Best left out. These items can cause problems for your system. Refer to them to know what to avoid.

See all C-rated items

Household dust

Dog, cat waste

Cooked food

Orange

Meat, fish, and bones

Onions

Dairy products

Coconut

Compost with confidence

Using the Vermicompost Score and its icons empowers you to make the right choices for your bin every time. This system removes the guesswork, ensuring your worms stay healthy and productive, so you can enjoy an effortless supply of high-quality compost.

Bonter vermicompost score. Person holding a Lemon.

Perfect for lush indoor plants, the garden, or sharing with the community.

Vegetables

From peels to stems, most vegetable scraps are a perfect meal for your composter.

Vegetables guide

Fruits

Cores, peels, and rinds provide the energy needed for a healthy, active system.

Fruits guide

Household items

Coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells add valuable nutrients to your final compost.

Household guide

Frequently asked questions

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