
If you’re new to vermicomposting, I like to encourage people to start with a small, inexpensive worm bin.
Rubbermaid offers a 10 gallon tote exclusively through Lowe’s that works perfectly for this. It measures just shy of 24” x 16” x 9” at sells for $6.49. A bin this size will house 2,000 to 2,500 composting worms.
For this project, you’ll need 2 of these Rubbermaid bins. One bin will be for your composting worms and the other for catching the drainage or leachate.

We first need to provide adequate ventilation for the worms by drilling or punching some ¼" holes into one of the plastic bins. Drill ventilation holes around the top and drain holes on the bottom. Don’t worry; the worms won’t try to escape unless you make one or more vermicomposting mistakes.

Set the worm bin aside and prepare the other bin used to catch the drainage or leachate. We need to provide adaquate ventilation for this bin as well, however we also need it to contain the water that may drain from the upper worm bin.


Once all the holes are drilled, place the top onto the worm bin (you'll only use one top). Then place the worm bin inside the leachate bin. Congratualtions, you now have a wormery build to house a couple thousand composting worms.