To determine growth and reproduction in the fresh and partially composted materials, l, 2, 4 and 8 E. andrei hatchlings from stock cultures (individual biomass 30—40 mg) were added to 200 g of green waste in 0.5 litre pots (n = 5). The moisture content of the green waste had been adjusted to saturation point at 66 + 2% of wet mass. The pots were kept at 20 + 2 0 C. No further waste was added and earthworm biomass and cocoon production was recorded on a weekly basis for 12 weeks. All cocoons were removed and a sample of these (n = 221) was monitored to determine hatchability and hatchling number per cocoon for worms fed on the fresh material only. Cocoons were kept at 20 + 2C.