Bokashi Food Waste

What You Can Add

What types of food waste can I put in a Bokashi bin?
Bokashi handles nearly all food scraps: fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, dairy, bread, pasta, rice, coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells. Avoid liquids like soup, excessive oils, and heavily mouldy food.

Can I add cooked leftovers?
Yes. Bokashi can process cooked meals, sauces, and even greasy scraps in small amounts.

Can I add meat and bones?
Yes. Cut large pieces small. Soft bones ferment easily; harder bones break down slowly in the soil afterward.

Can I add fish and seafood shells?
Yes. Chop them into smaller pieces to reduce air gaps and speed up breakdown.

Can dairy go in the bin?
Yes. Cheese, yoghurt, and even small amounts of butter ferment safely.

Can I add grains and bread?
Yes. Bread, rice, noodles, pastries, and cereals are fine — they’re often used to soak up moisture in the bucket.

What about fruit peels and cores?
All fruit and vegetable scraps are excellent. Chop large items like pumpkins or melons into smaller chunks.

Can I put in coffee grounds and tea bags?
Yes, though it’s best to drain off excess liquid and mix with drier materials.

Can I add eggshells?
Yes. They won’t break down fully during fermentation, but they add valuable calcium to soil.

What should I never put in Bokashi?
Non-organics like plastic, glass, and metal, as well as large volumes of liquid, are unsuitable.

Equipment & Setup

Do I need special equipment for Bokashi composting?
Yes, you need an airtight Bokashi bin (usually with a drainage tap) and Bokashi bran (a microbe-infused material sprinkled over food waste).

What is Bokashi bran made from?
It’s usually wheat or rice bran fermented with molasses and EM® microbes, then dried for storage.

Can I make my own Bokashi bran?
Yes, with EM•1®, sugar molasses, water, and a substrate like wheat bran. It takes a few weeks to ferment and dry.

How much Bokashi bran do I need?
Sprinkle about 2–3 tablespoons for every layer of food waste, doubling for protein-rich items.

What size bin should I choose?
For households, bins range from 9–16 litres. Larger 60–120 litre bins are available for schools, restaurants, or community use.

Do I need more than one bin?
Yes, at least two are recommended. While one ferments, the other can be filled.

Where should I keep my Bokashi bin?
Indoors in a cool, dry spot like a kitchen or utility room. Keep out of direct sunlight and extreme heat.

Can I build a DIY Bokashi bin?
Yes, but it must be airtight. Commercial bins are more reliable, especially those with taps for draining liquid.

Do Bokashi bins need electricity?
No. They work passively, powered only by microbes.

Do I need to stir or turn the waste?
No stirring is needed. Simply squish layers down to remove air pockets and keep the lid tightly sealed.

The Process

How do I use the Bokashi bin?
Add food waste in layers, sprinkle bran, press down, close the lid, and drain liquid every few days.

How often should I add food scraps?
Every day or two. Don’t let waste rot in your collection bowl before adding.

Do I need to chop food before adding?
Large pieces should be cut smaller so they ferment evenly and compact well.

Why do I need to press the waste down?
Squishing removes air pockets, keeping the process anaerobic and preventing bad smells.

What is the white mold I see in the bin?
White mold is a good sign. It shows fermentation is healthy and beneficial fungi are active.

What about green, blue, or black mold?
These are signs of contamination or air leakage. Add more bran and reseal, or start over if severe.

How long does it take to fill a bin?
Typically 2–4 weeks for an average household.

What do I do when the bin is full?
Seal it and leave it to ferment for 2 weeks before burying, composting, or adding to a soil factory.

Do I need to keep draining the liquid?
Yes, every 2–3 days to prevent smells and encourage healthy fermentation.

Does Bokashi produce heat?
No. Fermentation happens at room temperature, preserving nutrients.

Bokashi Juice

What is Bokashi juice?
It’s the liquid drained from food waste during fermentation. Rich in nutrients and microbes, it must be used fresh.

How do I use Bokashi juice on plants?
Dilute 1 part juice with 100 parts water and use immediately as a fertiliser.

Can I use Bokashi juice in drains?
Yes. Poured neat, it clears pipes, reduces odours, and supports septic systems.

How long does Bokashi juice last?
It doesn’t store well. Use within 24 hours.

Why do I have no juice?
Some wastes, like bread and rice, don’t release much liquid. That’s fine — the process still works.

Why do I have too much juice?
High-moisture foods like watermelon or soups create more liquid. Add shredded paper or dry waste to balance.

Does the juice smell?
Yes, it can be strong, but diluted it’s safe and effective.

Is Bokashi juice the same as compost tea?
No. Compost tea is brewed from finished compost. Bokashi juice is a raw by-product of fermentation.

Can I bottle Bokashi juice for later?
Not recommended — it quickly goes off and loses effectiveness.

Is Bokashi juice safe for houseplants?
Yes, but always dilute and avoid splashing on leaves indoors due to odour.

After Fermentation

What happens when the bin is full?
Seal it for two weeks to finish fermenting. Afterward, bury the contents, add to compost, or make soil.

What is a soil factory?
A container filled with soil and fermented waste layered together. In a few weeks, it becomes rich potting soil.

Can I plant directly into Bokashi waste?
Not immediately. Wait 10–14 days after burying before planting directly above.

Does the waste still look like food?
Yes, but it is preserved and acidic. Once in soil, it decomposes rapidly.

Does fermented waste attract pests?
It usually repels flies and rodents, but dogs may dig it up, so bury it deep.

Can I add Bokashi waste to a worm farm?
Yes, but only after the acidity has reduced. Add small amounts slowly.

Can Bokashi boost a compost heap?
Yes, mixing fermented waste speeds decomposition and enriches the pile.

What if I don’t have a garden?
Use a soil factory, donate to a neighbour, or join a community garden or Bokashi pickup service.

Can I store fermented waste until spring?
Yes. It can sit sealed in bins or airtight bags until the ground thaws.

What does finished Bokashi soil look like?
Dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling — full of life and nutrients.

Troubleshooting

Why does my Bokashi smell bad?
It should smell sour, not rotten. If it stinks, the bucket may not be airtight, or the waste rotted before adding.

Why is there green mold inside?
It means too much air entered. Add more bran, reseal tightly, and avoid overfilling.

Why is my bin slimy?
Too much wet food or not enough bran. Add dry material to restore balance.

Why does my lid bulge?
Gas build-up from fermentation. Release it briefly, reseal, and add more bran.

Why are there flies in my bin?
The lid may not be fully airtight, or you added waste that was already rotting.

Why isn’t my waste breaking down in the soil?
The soil may be too dry or too cold. Chop waste smaller and ensure good mixing.

What if I forget to add bran?
The bucket may smell bad or rot. Sprinkle bran generously on the next layers to rebalance.

What if the tap leaks?
Replace seals or use a higher-quality bucket. Leaks allow air and spoil fermentation.

Can fermented waste go mouldy after burial?
Yes, but that’s normal — fungi help it decompose and enrich soil.

What if worms avoid Bokashi waste?
They wait until acidity drops. After a couple of weeks, they’ll move in.

Practical Tips

Can I run Bokashi in a flat or apartment?
Yes. It’s compact, tidy, and odour-free — perfect for small spaces.

Can I keep the bin outside?
Yes, but protect it from extreme heat, freezing, and animals.

Can I mix Bokashi with other composting systems?
Yes. It complements wormeries, hot bins, and traditional heaps.

What’s the best way to start Bokashi in winter?
Keep bins indoors for fermentation, and store full ones until spring burial.

How many bins do I need?
At least two for a household. Large families or schools may need four or more.

How heavy is a full bin?
A 16-litre bin can weigh up to 18kg. Plan accordingly.

Can children use Bokashi?
Yes, it’s safe and educational. Just supervise handling of juice and waste.

Can Bokashi reduce food waste bills?
Yes. Households and businesses cut disposal costs by recycling scraps instead of paying for collection.

Is Bokashi safe for organic gardens?
Yes, it’s chemical-free and supports natural soil health.

Can Bokashi improve clay or sandy soils?
Yes. It adds organic matter, improves structure, and boosts microbial life.

Environmental Impact

How does Bokashi help the planet?
It diverts food waste from landfill, prevents methane release, and enriches soil.

Is Bokashi climate-friendly?
Yes. It captures carbon in soil rather than releasing it into the air.

Does Bokashi help with soil regeneration?
Yes, it boosts biodiversity, encourages fungi and bacteria, and builds long-term fertility.

Can Bokashi reduce chemical fertiliser use?
Yes. The nutrient-rich amendment it produces often replaces store-bought fertilisers.

Can communities benefit from Bokashi?
Yes, schools, restaurants, and neighbourhood groups can manage food waste locally and cheaply.

Is Bokashi scalable for businesses?
Yes. Large bins and pickup services exist for commercial kitchens and institutions.

Does Bokashi support circular economy goals?
Absolutely. It turns waste into a valuable resource instead of landfill trash.

Is Bokashi recognised globally?
Yes. It’s widely used in Japan, Korea, Europe, and increasingly in the UK and US.

Can Bokashi be combined with regenerative farming?
Yes. Farmers use it to recycle farm waste, boost soils, and replace costly fertilisers.

Is Bokashi future-proof?
Yes. As landfill space shrinks and food waste costs rise, Bokashi is a practical, sustainable solution.