About this episode

Sam Baker discusses innovative methods for converting plastic waste into organic fertilizer using microbial processes.

In this episode of Mulch Matters , we sit down with Sam Baker, CEO of Wriggle Brew, for a compelling conversation that bridges soil science, sustainability, and the future of plastic waste management. What began as a quest to develop organic fertilizers using earthworms evolved into a groundbreaking exploration of how larval microbes can digest plastic - offering a novel, biologically driven solution to one of the planet's most pressing environmental challenges. Sam shares the origin story of his work, from his background in chemistry and economics to the moment a fishing trip with his grandfather sparked a mission to combat fertilizer runoff and soil degradation. Through trial, error, and innovation, his team discovered that certain worm species and their gut microbes could not only process food and farm waste into nutrient-rich vermicompost, but also break down polystyrene and other plastics. This led to the development of a bioreactor system capable of converting plastic into microbe-ready material, ultimately producing shelf-stable, microplastic-free organic fertilizer. The conversation dives deep into the science behind pyrolysis, microbial digestion, and the challenges of…

People in this episode

Host: Nataliya Shcherbatyuk

Guest: Sam Baker

Topics covered

• soil science
• sustainability
• plastic waste management
• microbial digestion
• agricultural innovation

Keywords

• plastic waste
• microbial digestion
• organic fertilizer
• sustainability
• soil health
• vermicompost
• bioreactor

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Wriggle Brew

Places: planet

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• From Macro to Micro: Following Mulch Fragments Through the Soil · January 30, 2026 · 20 min
• Beyond the Plastic: How Social Values Shape Mulch Decisions in Agriculture · December 18, 2025 · 24 min
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