Figure 2 shows the growth of E. andrei fed on fresh and partially composted waste taken at 2 week intervals from the compost windrow. Results from sampling periods 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks only arereported. For the first 7 weeks of vermicomposting, growth of E. andrei in fresh green material (14 mg worm -I d- l ) was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than in material composted for 2 weeks (10 mg worm - l d - l ). However, no significant difference in growth was found between material pre-composted for 2 weeks and for 4 weeks (9 mg worm - l d - l ).