I do occasionally get asked if I can supply loose parts for the Urbalive worm composter. This is either the tap or the filter cloth.
My answer is always: It can be done, but it is not necessary. In fact, there is a way to use urbalive without these parts. A way that is also more pleasant for the worms.
Turn your drip tray into a worm bed
The Urbalive has a huge catch basin for released moisture. That’s actually a designer’s mistake.
First, you don’t want to store the released moisture (the leachate) for a long time at all. Rather, you want to use that leachate quickly.
Second, a properly functioning worm composter does not release that much moisture at all. If that bottom drip pan is full of moisture in a few weeks or even days, that means something is wrong. Normally at most 1 to 2 cups of leachate are released per week.
So we’re going to turn this drip tray into something else: Namely, a bed for your worms. A tasty place where the worms feel at home.
Step 1: Open the tap or remove the tap entirely
First, I recommend leaving that tap open at all times. With a catch basin under it. So that you can see it immediately if a lot of moisture is suddenly released. Then you can intervene, for example, by adding more cardboard to the waste.
Is the tap broken? Then just remove it. This also has the added advantage that even small bits of moisture drain more easily.
Step 2: Screen the opening with a piece of screen mesh
To prevent the worms from crawling out through the hole, tape a piece of screen mesh over the opening with duct tape.
Step 3: Cover the bottom with a generous layer of “bedding material
To do this, use dry leaves, straw, torn cardboard, or a hemp mat. The leachate released will also eventually cause this bed to become moist and compost. Here you create a pleasant environment where the worms can freely enter and exit. At least, if you perform the next step:
Step 4: remove the textile grid at the top of the drip tray
The worms can no longer drown in the drip tray. So the grid no longer has a function. Let your worms crawl up and down freely. They follow their nose that tells them where the food is.
You can, of course, just put nitrogen-rich kitchen waste in the drip tray and start making worm compost in the bottom tray. You can then harvest this compost by scooping it out.
On the contrary, my advice is to leave the bottom drip pan alone as much as possible. Then a nice ecosystem can develop in this drip tray where bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms are in balance. This is where the worms can go when the compost bins accidentally become too wet, too dry, too acidic or whatever.
Still ordering a tap for the Urbalive worm composter
The Urbalive’s tap is a part that is somewhat susceptible to wear and tear. If you purchased your Urbalive worm composter from Balkonton less than two years ago, I can request a new tap from the importer.
Out of warranty I can order it. Think of costs of €30 to €40. My advice: just leave the tap open or remove it completely.
Still ordering a textile grid for the Urbalive worm composter
According to the manufacturer, the textile grid is not under warranty and it makes sense to replace it from time to time, like a vacuum cleaner filter. I find this a strange reasoning and also a flaw in the design. If you still want to order a new filter you can do so through this link on Bol.com. You pay the same price as if you order directly. But through this link I get a small affiliate fee.
But as described above, I would omit this grid from the beginning and allow the worms a nice relaxing space where they can crawl in and out freely.
Buy Urbalive
I no longer sell the Urbalive myself. It is a nice worm composter, but I am critical of the design and of the manufacturer’s service and delivery conditions.
Should you order the Urbalive through this link on Bol.com I will receive a small fee for it. You pay the same amount as normal.