What is Bokashi?
Probiotic for the Soil
Bokashi is available in over 100 countries worldwide and was developed in 1982 by Prof. Teruo Higa. Bokashi means “fermented organic matter” in Japanese. It is a probiotic made with beneficial microorganisms (lactic acid bacteria, phototrophic bacteria and yeast) which prevents all food waste including cooked leftovers, meat, citrus, onions, bones, fat and cheese, from rotting and rather ferments it. It is an anaerobic process, meaning it wants the least amount of oxygen, so keep the lid properly closed.
Bokashi pre-composting is a two-stage method, first the two weeks fermentation, then secondly the decomposition of the food waste. The “pickled” food waste inside will not be broken down yet after the two weeks fermentation, but will be filled with beneficial microorganisms and ready for the second step to break down in the soil, in a compost heap, in an old container or in a worm farm.
The Bokashi juice (leachate) can be very smelly at the bottom of the bin and therefore can be tapped off, diluted and used as a natural fertiliser for the soil or thrown in the drain.
Can’t use the Bokashi contents at home? Then let us pick up your two weeks old fermented food waste and give you a clean bucket back to start again.
Benefits of Bokashi in Your Home
All Fresh Food Waste
Hard-to-compost foods like bones, cooked leftovers and citrus can now easily be composted or donated.
Go on Holiday
Take bin with you or Bokashi bin can stand closed for up to 6 months. Once you are back, it will be fermented and ready to use.
Pest Free
No fruit flies, maggots nor stinking kitchen bins due to closed bin system. Rodents are kept away when used correctly.
Fast & Easy
Clean, tidy and pathogen free method to sort out your daily kitchen waste indoors or outdoors.
Four Easy Steps
Step One
Collect ALL your food waste including meat, fish, dairy, small bones, cooked and uncooked leftovers and throw into your Bokashi bin ONCE a day.
Do NOT add any liquids.
Do NOT add rotten / mouldy food.
Step Two
Throw a handful of Bokashi over every layer of food waste and always keep the bin closed.
Continue every day by layering kitchen waste and Bokashi.
*You would use about 500g Bokashi per 25L Bokashi bin*
Step Three
Once the bin is full, keep it closed for 2 weeks to ferment.
Start with the second bin.
NB: Always keep bin out of direct sunlight as UV rays kill microbes.
Step Four
Tap off Bokashi juice and dilute for garden.
Use fermented contents in a compost heap, bury in soil, feed to a worm farm, donate to SWVG or arrange pick-up with Circular Homes. And start again 🙂
Environmental Benefits of Bokashi
Sustainable
Once fermented, Bokashi food waste is a soil amendment and no precious water is needed to break the food waste down.
Builds Healthy Soils
It helps in regenerating our soil, adding millions of microbes and boosting plants.
Improves Soil Structure
Bokashi method releases the least greenhouse gases, compared to other composting methods, therefore reduces our carbon footprint.
Eliminates Pathogens
Bokashi is very acidic (pH between 3.5 – 4.5), thus no pathogens can survive in the bin.
Suppresses Plant Diseases
It keep the roots stronger & beneficial microbes outwin the growth of sickening bacteria.
Promotes Earthworms
Worms love Bokashi food, as it is softer and full of microbes, which they can digest faster.
Using your Bokashi Juice
The pH level is low (very acidic therefore use as a soil drench and not on top of leaves/flowers/fynbos.
Juice Dilution Ratio's
1:100 for lawns and veggies
1:300 for gardens and pot plants
1:500 for succulents
1:1000 for sensitive plants
Undiluted in drains (prevents sludge and blocking)
Use within 24 hours
Problem solving your bin
Reasons for a Smelly Bin
- Check for Bokashi Juice
- Not enough Bokashi used
- Did not close lid properly
- Threw in rotten/mouldy food
- Too much liquids
- Bin was in direct sunlight
Mould in your Bin?
White mould is good
Suppresses pathogens
Helps bind soil
Helps with water retention
Black/Blue/Green is bad
Solution
Add Bokashi to revive bin
Bury it deeper than 30cm Leave for a min of 2 months
Rotting is a natural process
Stats on Bokashi Projects
Bins Received
Kilograms kitchen waste processed
Kilograms CO2 saving
Cubic meters of landfill saving
Services
Residential Services
We can make life a little bit easier for you, by collecting your 2 weeks and older fermented Bokashi food waste bin from your home. This includes all your meat, shellfish, bones, cooked leftovers and dairy.
Commercial Services
Bokashi works great for restaurants, office buildings and estates as it is easy to implement, hassle-free and sustainable.
We will gladly do an on-site visit to determine your business solution as it is dependant on the amount of waste generated at your premises.