Turning Waste into Blessings with Earthworms

Wayan Pariata is busy harvesting organic fertiliser from worm castings at the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Integrated Waste Processing Facility (TPS3R) in Gelgel Village, Klungkung, Bali. He is one of the workers there, his hands deftly separating the worms from their castings.

The worm castings harvested by Pariata are known as vermicompost or kascing, a high-quality organic fertiliser. The Gelgel Village TPS3R has been producing vermicompost with the help of earthworms for three years.

The TPS3R, managed by PT Asta Manah Liang, is now reaping the benefits of vermicompost production. The economic turnover from earthworm castings has even enabled the facility to cover its operating costs independently.

Director of PT Asta Manah Liang, I Putu Gede Indra, explained that the innovation is an effort to tackle the abundant organic waste at the Gelgel TPS3R. Left unattended, organic waste produces unpleasant odours and poses risks if burned.

“So over the past three years, we have been seeking a solution so that this organic waste can return to nature as a high-value fertiliser,” Indra explained while showing the earthworms he cultivates to detikBali on Saturday (11/6/2026).

The vermicompost system at the Gelgel TPS3R relies on two superior worm species with voracious appetites for organic waste: the Lumbricus Rubellus from Germany and the African Night Crawler (ANC) from Africa. Both are highly effective and fast at breaking down organic waste into high-quality organic fertiliser.

The fertiliser produced by these two worm species was recently tested by Sucofindo and Saraswanti Indo Genetech (SIG). According to the test results, the vermicompost has the best carbon-nitrogen (CN) ratio among organic fertilisers.

“According to Sucofindo and SIG, this organic fertiliser turned out to have the highest CN ratio. We also apply it to the plants around this TPS3R,” Indra explained.

Turning waste into a high-value commodity certainly required a substantial initial investment. Indra said the early investment was allocated specifically for breeding rack infrastructure and worm stock.

Limited land forced Indra to make do with the available space, building worm racks at an initial cost of around Rp 200 million. Another initial cost was imported worm stock from Germany and Africa, valued at Rp 150,000 per kilogram.

From that initial investment, the Gelgel Village TPS3R now manages a total worm population of 10 tonnes. From this capacity, average kascing fertiliser production can reach 3 tonnes per month.

“We sell this organic fertiliser at Rp 15,000 per kilo. In addition to the worms, we also earn extra income from plastic waste sorting. The combined sales value is equal, very stable, and has proven sufficient to cover all operating costs,” Indra revealed.

Indra hopes the kascing fertiliser production, now reaching 3 tonnes per month, can be increased. He is currently working with several parties to expand the land. Indra even dreams of a vermicompost factory in Klungkung.

“My dream is to have a factory. I hope it comes true. Not just for the business, but for its impact on tackling the enormous amount of organic waste in Bali,” Indra hoped.

Prospering 23 Employees

The success of this organic fertiliser operation has not only benefited the environment but has also invigorated the local economy. The Gelgel Village TPS3R now employs 23 workers across several strategic positions, from the waste sorting team and machine operators to specialised worm and maggot cultivation staff.

Management pays close attention to workers’ welfare. All employees receive decent standard wages plus complete social security coverage.

“Every month, our employees receive salaries in line with the regional minimum wage of Rp 3.2 million net, plus BPJS Health and BPJS Employment Security facilities. We want waste workers to have a future and guaranteed health protection too,” Indra asserted.

The Gelgel Village TPS3R stands as real proof that environmental problems can be solved while generating profits that prosper the community — provided waste is managed professionally.