Bokashi Basics - Smale scale composting for small spaces (PRODUCT REVIEW)

A Bokashi bucket is a small-scale kitchen 'composting' bucket that works on the principle of fermentation.  It's a really easy and efficient form of composting if you haven't got lots of space.
The air-tight bucket can fit almost anywhere and can handle almost all your kitchen waste - raw and cooked food, meat, dairy, citrus and onions. The only thing it can't take is big bones and lots of liquid.
Your kitchen scraps, with the addition of the bokashi bran, quickly ferment resulting in miracle juice and 'bucket stuff'  thanks to bokashi teaming population of benefitial bacterial and micro-organisms. The juice is a fantastic liquid fertilizer for your garden and great addition to drains and waterways and the fermented wastequickly breaks down in the soil and is even better as a compost accelerater.
With compost, worm farm and chooks I didn't think I needed another pet but the bokashi bucket has been a really great addition to the family!
Thanks to BokashiOne for giving me one to try out.  There are lots of brands available that all work in a similar way. You can also make your own.
Bokashi is a new way of composting. Keep trying it out until you get the hang of it.

Full Article and Website: Bokashi Basics - Small scale composting for small spaces

Report Taken from GIY (green it yourself) http://greenityourself.com.au/ 

Bokashi Tip (after Holidays To Do)

Are you just getting back to work?  Don't forget to drain your Bokashi Bucket Juice and either use, or dis'  (down the drain). 

Next, bury your current bucket waste,  and start again.  It's very important you keep this system going.  It does wonders for your garden and change pongy rotting food waste out of the pointless landfill cycle and into a useful garden compost medium. 

Lastly: don't forget to make sure you order new Bokashi One mix stock & keep your system going!
http://www.bokashi.com.au/retail-outlets/
 

First Time Offered in Australia - 30L Stainless Steel Bokashi Composters!

Happy 14 to all followers:

These are the best units I have seen in almost 10 years of being involved with Bokashi Composting practices.  Available from tomorrow (1.1.14) via the www.bokashi.com.au supply chain.  But you will have to email (or call the BCA office on Thursday/Friday 1300 902 880) to purchase until the purchase option becomes live on the website TBC. 

Specifications/Features

• 30L Capacity (largest domestic kitchen only capacity manufactured on market)
• Dimensions, 30L(7.5 Gallon), Inner Dia 34cm, Overall Height 43cm, Weight 4.96kg
• Rubber seal ring in the lid and 3 strap locks (completely airtight/anaerobic environment)
• Pet, Rodent and Pest impenetrable
• Long-lasting and Durable (ready for the all Australian weather elements)
• Easy to clean for the next run of compost 

Buy Price $149.00 incl GST (excl Freight)

 

Pre-tested by me for the last 6 weeks, you will not be disappointed.  Can I say these are not intended to replace the current plastic buckets on offer (which are almost half the buy price), Moreover, It's a welcome new addition to the Bokashi One product range and a premium offering for both Bokashi fanatics and those new to Bokashi Kitchen Composting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Price published does not include Bokashi One™ Mix) (Wholesale enquires welcome for retailers)

Illawarra Future Festival and Sustainable Living Expo

Date: Sunday 20 October 2013
Time: 10am - 3pm

At Kiama Showground Pavilion, 2 Bong Bong Street, Kiama

In recognition of World Environment Day, Kiama Municipal Council will be holding the Illawarra Future Festival and Sustainable Living Expo at The Pavilion in Kiama on Sunday 20 October 2013 between 10am - 3pm. The Illawarra Future Festival and Sustainable Living Expo aims to provide residents with information on ways to live more sustainably.

Taking place for the first time in 2012, the Expo attracted 40 exhibitors including local Illawarra businesses who displayed their sustainable products and services, as well as a vast array of non-for-profit organisations who provided information on their programs.
For more information including registering as an exhibitor contact Kiama Council Customer Services on 4232 0444 or visit www.kiama.nsw.gov.au

Who Will be Speaking at Illawarra Future Festival and Sustainable Living Expo

Dalvinder Dhami, former Master Chef from 2012 is our Event Ambassador, will be doing cooking demonstrations using fresh home grown produce at 11.30am.

The Smart Living Expo will be showcasing a number od sustainable business, products and services, including water efficiency,energy efficiency, cleaning products  and produce, and there will be plenty of things for the kids to do while Mum and Dad look around, with face painting, seed planting and story reading activities.

The Dog agility show is back with demonstrations at 11am and 1pm by the Wollongong Dog Sports Club, and there is a speaking program of local identities to inspire you to action.

For our Speakers Forum we have secured local identities, including;

1. John Gabriele , from ABC Illawarra Radio "Compost Heap" program to talk about backyard veggie gardens.

2. Michael Fox , a local biodiversity expert, speciailsing in frogs, will be speaking on the importance of frogs in the urban environment, with a few special tadpole and frog guests.

3. Tass  Schmidt, from Jamberoo Valley Farm  will be talking about producing and accessing local, sustainably grown produce.

4. Edwin Humphries from Transition Towns Kiama  and UOW Research Assisitant for the School Atmospheric Chemistry will be talking about the latest Climate Science updates in the 5th Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report.

There are lucky door prizes to be won kindly donated by Bunnings and the Illawarra Medical Local Project, and plenty of information, ratepayer plant giveaway, and show bags so we hope to see you there.

Poster

 

Been Away?

Drain off excess juices and bury your waste.

Kogarah City Council (NSW) Sells Bokashi Buckets

This Saturday 19/10/13, Kogarah City Council will be selling Bokashi One Buckets and Bokashi One Mix at the Council stands @ Oatley Village Festival.  See you there!

 

Bokashi Powder Prices (Quick Comparison/Australia)

In Australia:

Maze/Bunning's: 5L (or 1.25kg)(RRP$16.98)

 

 

Bokashi One: 4L (or 1.0kg) (RRP$9.90)

AUD$9.90?
I know which one I think offers better value...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Randwick City Council Eco-living Fair 2013 - PICs

Bokashi One Stand

Pedal Power

Interactive Recycling Performance

More Pedalling

Found this sign pointing to a rubbish bin?

Recycle Organic Waste

Great Excerpt from this Councils webpage

Bokashi Buckets

The Bokashi Bucket is another great option for small urban spaces. The Bokashi Bucket ferments layers of chopped kitchen waste overlain with Bokashi mix, a Japanese discovery made up of grains or saw dust with Effective Micro-organisms (EM) to speed up the fermentation process. The bucket is sealed air tight, so there’s no access for bugs or vermin, allowing your meat scraps to be included also! There’s also no worms to care for, so onions and citrus are back on the composting menu.

 

Even better, the air tight seal means no nasties can get in or out of your Bokashi Bucket, thus no smells (or very little smell, mostly just the nice earthy smell of the Bokashi mix). This means you can even keep your Bokashi Bucket in the kitchen cupboard!

 

Where to get it. Bokashi Buckets are available at most hardware stores, and some nurseries. The buckets are most often made of recycled plastic, with a grate at the bottom to allow the juice to collect beneath your scraps, and a tap to release the juice.

 

How it works. Collect your daily organic scraps in a recycled plastic container on the kitchen bench and add them to your Bokashi Bucket in layers. As you add layers, squash the scraps into the bucket with a potato masher and sprinkle on the Bokashi mix to cover lightly. Your bucket will yield lovely ‘bokashi juice’ every few days depending on how much you feed it. Dilute the juice 1:100 for use on the garden or use straight down sinks or toilets to clean drains. Once your bucket is full, bury the fermented organics 20-25cm below the surface of the soil and it will become lovely compost.

 

No digging space? Bury in a friend’s garden, their soil will love it!

 

The Bokashi Bucket is also a great option for Fly In Fly Out workers or those away from home quite often. With the bucket’s air tight seal in tact you can leave it for several weeks without worrying your compost will go rancid.

 

_____________________________________________________

Poster: Just a sub note comment, Some sensitive plants,  you may

want to dilute Bokashi juice in your watering can out to 200:1

(Water/Bokashi Juice).

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Marrickville Council Household chemical and e-waste drop off day

Household chemical and e-waste drop off days

 
Download the poster to promote this event around your neighbourhood or unit block!

It's time to clean out your household chemical clutter and unused e-Waste items- the right way. These events are scheduled quarterly throughout the year to encourage residents to dispose of unwanted household chemicals and e-waste that has been stored in garages and sheds for many years, unused and unwanted. This service is provided free of charge.

The events will be held at the Marrickville Council Technical Centre, 15-17 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters from 9am – 3.30pm on the following dates:

• Saturday 9 November 2013

Please Note: Entry is via Bolton Street and exit via Unwins Bridge Road as a left hand turn only.

Old paints, gas bottles, fluorescent tubes, batteries, motor oils, household cleaners, computers, TVs, cameras and other electronic waste will be collected at Marrickville Council's FREE household chemical and e-Waste drop off day. All brands of e-waste will be accepted, including all computer, home office, entertainment equipment and toys. All items will be recycled and diverted from landfill to protect our environment.

This initiative will help ensure safer homes and a cleaner environment, significantly reducing waste and increasing recycling.

Important points to remember:

• Please remember to pack unwanted chemicals in secure containers and carefully transport the waste to the drop off point to ensure that the chemicals do not leak or spill.
• Please refrain from leaving chemicals and e-waste items outside the gate after opening hours as it is dangerous and will be treated as an illegal dumping matter. No materials can be dropped off or accepted at Marrickville Council Technical Centre prior to, or after this date unless advertised.
• If you cannot attend on one of the above dates, please visit the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage website for other dates and locations around Sydney. Please note, however, that these events are for Household Chemical Cleanout items only and not e-waste items.
• Never mix chemicals as this may produce dangerous reactions.
• Wherever possible keep all chemicals in their original containers.
• Ensure containers are clearly labelled and well sealed. If you do not know what is in the container, label it UNKNOWN CHEMICAL.
• Liquid can leak during transport. Wrap containers holding liquids securely in newspaper and place them into sturdy plastic bags, then pack in plastic buckets or trays.
• Keep household chemicals away from passengers, e.g. in the boot.

Click the link below to view a complete list of items that we will accept:

• Complete list of items that can be dropped off on the day (PDF)

Let's work together in helping to achieve Minimum Waste, Maximum Recovery.

EcoXpo Sustainable Eco Living - 20-22 September SYDNEY

- Thousands of amazing sustainable products and services all under one roof!
- See numerous eco living live presentations by eco-icons and celebrities, engage exhibitors and visitors alike
Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September 2013, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Sydney

EcoXpo is THE all-inclusive forum of sustainable companies and their customers interested in eco living. EcoXpo creates success and flourishing for our eco friendly companies and customers living green. EcoXpo is a gathering of hearts, minds and soul, embodied by a group of like-minded companies who display and sell their sustainable wares to discerning eco-conscious consumers.

Each company represented at the EcoXpo is a proud owner or user of an organic, natural and/or sustainable brand. Maximum exposure of these green brands is necessary for success, and EcoXpo is the ideal platform for these brands sharing a common sustainable value to showcase the best in each industry.

EcoXpo is a unique experience, a fun and learning event, suitable for the whole family. Exhibitors participating adhere to certified organic, sustainable and good environmental practice and must act in accordance for entrance, to ensure they are genuine participators.

Are you interested in eco living? If you would like to live in a sustainable house and discover the latest eco friendly products and services, then EcoXpo is for you!

Footprints Eco Festival 2013

As  a visitor, I would confirm a great day had by all, last Sunday, in Sydney's Whites Creek Valley Parklands, The sun shone through and it was well delivered,  thanks to all the organisers and contributors.

Future Fest Illawarra - Celebrating World Environment Day 2013!

From the success of last year’s event, Kiama Council will once again hold the “Future Fest Illawarra” at The Pavilion, Kiama on

Sunday 20 October 2013 from 10am – 3pm

“Future Fest Illawarra” is in celebration of World Environment Day and this annual event will include the Smart Living Expo which offers an amazing opportunity for green businesses to highlight how their products and services can help householders adapt to a more sustainable lifestyle.
“Future Fest Illawarra” is an initiative of Kiama Municipal Council.  This regional event will also include a comprehensive activities program including workshops, talks, seminars and demonstrations.  In addition, a celebrity ambassador will be engaged to assist with the promotion of this event to enable us to capture a wider audience.
Registrations are now open!
At only $100.00  per exhibitor (business) space (2m x 2m) this is a great opportunity for you to showcase your products and services.  To register, please visit kiamasphere.com.au/futurefestillawarra and complete the form online.  Registrations close Friday, 4 October 2013.
We would like your business/organisation to be involved in some way, so please do not hesitate to call the Smart Living Expo co-ordinator, Byron Robinson on 4232 0436 or if you have any questions about the Expo.