About Us

Recycle with earthworms!
Waikiki Worm Co. was established to address the issue of recycling of organic waste, which makes up 34% of Oahu's wastestream. Annually, 50,000 tons of food waste alone is generated on Oahu. Processing organic waste with worms - called VERMICOMPOSTING - transforms garbage into a nutrient-rich, odorless, pathogen-free, organic soil amendment that dramatically enhances the health of houseplants, garden plants, fruit trees, landscaping, lawns, and agricultural crops. Worm poop, also called gardeners' gold or VERMICAST, recycles nutrients back to the soil as nature intended. Vermicast is easily produced and harvested from your own kitchen worm bin.

It's our kuleana
We don't have to wait for a government recycling program! We believe our kuleana as good citizens and island residents is to take personal responsibility for better waste management at home, in our schools and workplaces.

How can vermicomposting make a difference? Here's an example:

The average family generates four pounds of food waste per week. If only 5,000 households shifted their practice of flushing or throwing away food waste to feeding a worm colony...

5,000 households x 4 pounds = 20,000 pounds or 10 tons; 10 tons x 52 weeks = 520 tons of waste are diverted from Oahu's wastestream each year.

That's significant! And it's do-able - TODAY.

Learn to worm!
Waikiki Worm Co. offers a variety of opportunities to learn the fun and fascinating practice of vermicomposting. We provide quality products, support services, and project consultation to assure your success.

Mindy Jaffe, owner
Mindy dusted off a 1973 B.A. in Environmental Education to start Waiklki Worm Co. in 2004. She worked briefly after graduation on the staff of Sharon Audubon Center in Connecticut, Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Denver Museum of Natural History. Distracted by the fun and challenge of small business, she spent the last 30 years operating several successful enterprises, including an award-winning Jazzercise franchise and a sports marketing and publishing company. In 2000, Mindy was elected to the State House of Representatives from the Kaimuki-Waikiki district and served one term.