Bokashi can be used in situations where larger amounts compostable material is produced. Here is the setup at a workplace in Vancouver. Click on image to view full size:
A stainless steel bucket sits in the lunchroom at work. People put in coffee grounds, tea bags, leftover lunches. Despite what the sign says, meat and fish can be added to the compost because when it ferments with the bokashi, there is no smell and the friendly microbes help to pickle it.
A handfull of bokashi added to the large collection bucket:
Compostables transfered to the collection bucket:
Another handful of bokashi added on top of the new material added:
Each time compostables are added, it is compressed with a plastic bag, which creates an anaerobic environment and speeds up the fermenation process.
Always wash your hands after handling organic materials and bokashi.
We use the Humanure system for composting our solid waste.Will EM speed the process?Is temperature fluctuation a problem? D…
david carpenter — December 21st, 2007 at 10:53 amHi David,
Yes, bokashi or the liquid form [Biosa] used in your humanure system will speed up the process.
The best way would be to use bokashi in your indoor collection bucket mixed with the sawdust before it goes into your compost pile. I would keep urine entering the bucket to a minimum by collecting “Number 1s” [pee only] in a separate container. You would have to experiment to determine the appropriate amount to add so that fermentation occurs – you want that sweet, apple cider/vinegar smell.
It would work even better if you were able to let a sealed full bucket ferment/pickle for a week or two before adding it your outdoor compost pile.
I can provide you with liquid Biosa to get you started.
Al — December 22nd, 2007 at 8:47 pmHi Al,
How many people are using the system described in this post? I am looking to set up an office composting system for 150 people (although I suspect not everyone will use it). How many buckets, how much bokashi liquid etc. will I need? Is there someone who can take the soil off of our hands that you know of here in Vancouver (before I go looking needlessly)?
Thanks!
Kelly
Kelly — March 12th, 2008 at 12:28 pmHi Kelly,
There are 15 – 30 people in the office and a 5 gallon bucket fills up every 7 – 10 days. In Vancouver there are three companies – as of July 2007 – that provide compost pickup services. They are:
Maple Leaf Disposal
604.540.4992
Smithrite
604.529.4030
Superior Disposal
604.718.7878
At a minimum, Bokashi would increase the compliance of people participating by reducing offensive odours and insect infestation [fruit flies] before delivering the material to a central collection point. Even if the companies above provided the collection buckets on each floor, bokashi could assist.
[I'll be sending this to you as an email too.:-)]
Al — March 12th, 2008 at 9:19 pmWe recently purchased an outdoor compost bin (not the sealed kind for worms) to place outside of our tea factory.
Steve Schwartz — April 21st, 2008 at 11:19 amWe manufacture tea, here is our website
http://www.artoftea.com and have been placing tea that does not fit our standards and tea already used for tasting in the bin. My question is can we use Bokashi in the outdoor compost bin or is it mainly for indoor sealed use? Thanks in advance for your advice!
Hi Steve,
Dried bokashi bran is designed for indoor use. However, in bulk situations the liquid form can be very cost effective as do the same job. If you use the bokashi [dry] inside a 5 gallon bucket for your tea already used for tasting – layering the tea with bokashi every 2 – 3 cm/1 inch – will speed up the decomposition once it goes into your regular compost bin. Be sure to let it sit and ferment for at least ten days.
Hope that helps,
Al
Al — April 25th, 2008 at 8:40 amWhat did you mean about “dry” bokashi for indoor and the liquid form for bulk situations. Is that some kind of liquid bokashi or EM? Also, I have a large pile of compost outdoors and am wondering if bokashi can be used to break it down quicker. If so, would I use the liquid form, then cover it with a sheet of plastic for a couple of weeks?
Laurie — February 22nd, 2009 at 3:51 amHello,
Jackie — April 4th, 2010 at 3:10 pmI was wondering if it is okay to keep the bokashi bin outside.
Thanks,
Jackie
Hi Jackie,
Yes, you can keep the bin outside but the process will work better when the bucket is at room temperature or bit higher.
Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Al
Al — April 6th, 2010 at 10:17 pmWhen you go to the markets, do you have the Biosa and Bokashi there to see? Like Laurie’s comment, I have 2 composters (black City of Vancouver type) but the materials haven’t really broken down. I have to empty them and move them to a sunnier place. Could I use your stuff on the un-decomposed materials in buckets to make them break down more before reloading the moved composters.
I have a worm bin working fine, but never emptied yet; it’s almost full of the black gold. But the buckets sound interesting too.
Thanks,
Jean Stewart — July 7th, 2010 at 8:43 pmJean
Hi
Suzy — July 17th, 2010 at 3:57 amCan you tell me the height of the bokashi bucket? I would like to work out where I can store it before I buy one.
Suzy.
Hello Al,
A bit strange writing a letter “to myself” but I
guess it happens.
I wanted to ask a couple of questions about
Bokashi Composting:
1) Can Bokashi Composting (i.e. the fermention of
a full, air-tight, bucket for two-weeks or so)
DESTROY SEEDS? I understand that the Bokashi
(i.e. the fermented food scraps, yard clippings,
etc.) needs to be buried or put into a
composting/thermophilic compost pile
to “finish”. But I would like to know if seeds
in the “stock” going into the bokashi bucket are
destroyed (i.e. rendered unable to germinate) by
the bokashi composting?
2) Can Bokashi “juice” be used as a bokashi
starter for the next bucket?
Thank you in advance for your insight. And thank
you very much for your helpful and informative
site.
Cheers,
Al Franks — September 18th, 2010 at 10:41 amAl