Electric Composters vs. Bokashi
As the UK intensifies its focus on sustainability, managing kitchen waste effectively has become crucial, and something we are all concerned about, whether on environmental grounds or just cost. Food Waste costs the Earth – one way or another… We’ve taken some time to look at the Bokashi composting benefits of modern electric composters, like LOMI, Bokashi Systems, considering cost, environmental impact, and the benefit for soil health.
Electric Kitchen Waste Composters
Brands like LOMI, Vitamix FoodCycler, and BeyondGREEN represent the high-tech approach to composting. These devices use electricity to speed up the decomposition process, turning kitchen scraps into compost within hours.
Cost: These units are a significant upfront investment, typically costing between £230 and £500.
Environmental Impact: They operate on electricity, which may not be the most sustainable option depending on how the electricity is generated.
Space and Capacity: Compact for small kitchens, these composters are beneficial for smaller households but have a limited processing capacity.
Output Quality: The compost produced by electric composters is much less in volume and lacks the variety of microbes, bacteria, and fungi found in Bokashi compost. This makes it much less effective in enriching soil health and biodiversity.
Bokashi Fermentation/Composting
Cost: More affordable than electric composters, a Bokashi kit costs between £50 and £100 which includes LIVE Bokashi Bran.
The ongoing expense is minimal for the LIVE Bokashi Bran. For a family of four, the cost of maintaining a Bokashi system can be as little as 50p per month. You can also make your own DIY Bokashi system which is an even greener and cost-effective alternative. By repurposing two buckets with lids, you can set up an efficient composting system that does not require electricity and uses minimal space. We’ve put together instructions to show you how this can be done. https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/blogs/blog/how-to-make-your-own-bokashi-composting-bin
Environmental and Spatial Benefits: This method is not only energy-efficient but also space-efficient, thanks to the stackable nature of the buckets, making it work in the smallest of spaces.
Soil Health and Global Impact: The real advantage of Bokashi composting lies in its amazing impact on soil health. The end fermentation can be added directly to the soil or compost heap and it delivers a rich variety of beneficial microbes, bacteria, and fungi, enhancing soil structure, nutrient availability, and moisture retention. This process significantly aids in carbon sequestration and revitalises gardens, making it particularly valuable for those who grow their own food.
The Importance of Kitchen Waste Action in the UK
The UK produces millions of tonnes of food waste annually, much of which could be diverted from landfills. By adopting practices like Bokashi composting, households can drastically reduce their waste footprint, turning potential landfill material into a valuable ongoing resource for their gardens. Bokashi composting not only prevents waste but also plays a vital role in restoring soil health, crucial for combating widespread soil degradation across the country.
Whether you choose an electric composter for its convenience and speed or a DIY Bokashi system for its environmental benefits and cost-effectiveness, both methods significantly contribute to waste reduction and soil improvement. The DIY Bokashi option, in particular, offers a sustainable and impactful way to enrich soil health, supporting a healthier ecosystem and yielding more nutritious home-grown food. Embracing these methods aligns with the UK’s environmental goals and offers practical benefits for gardeners and environmentally conscious citizens alike. In fact we can’t believe that everyone isn’t Bokashi-ing! Time to get to it!
Get started with Bokashi Composting today at https://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/collections/bokashi-composting