GREAT GREEN SYSTEMS BOKASHI BIN 14 Litre Indoor Kitchen Composter Instructions

GREAT GREEN SYSTEMS BOKASHI BIN 14 Litre Indoor Kitchen

CONGRATULATIONS ON BUYING YOUR BOKASHI BIN

What is the Bokashi Bin System?

Most food waste (including cooked food, meat, fish and cheese) can begin the transformation into nutrient-rich compost right in your own kitchen using the Bokashi method. Once your leftovers have been left to ferment in the airtight Bokashi bin, they reduce by around a quarter to become a pre-compost mixture. This can then be buried in soil in your garden or in a container to break down to become compost or it can be added to your garden composter.
Bokashi is a Japanese term meaning ‘fermented organic matter’. The
Bokashi spray (available separately) contains friendly bacteria which ferment your waste. The fermentation process does not produce adverse smells so you can keep the bin under the sink or on a worktop.
Bokashi spray can also be used as an eco-friendly household cleaner and deodorizer.

What can I put in my Bokashi Bin?

• YES
  Food scraps and leftovers
  e.g. Fruit/veg, dairy products, meat, fish
  Prepared foods
  e.g. Burgers, snacks, baked foods, cakes
  Other organic material
  e.g. Coffee grounds, tea bags, paper

• NO
  Bottles/Cans
  (plastic, glass, aluminium etc)
  Packaging
  (metal, foil, staples, plastics etc)

The Bokashi Bin comprises:

1. 1 x Bokashi bin with lid (with silicone seal) and strainer
2. 1 x tap with black washer to drain liquid fertiliser
3. 1 x compactor for removing air pockets and condensing contents

Setting up your Bokashi Bin

1. Insert the tap into the threaded hole ensuring that the washer is fitted. The thick washer will allow for a good seal without being overly tight. Make sure not to overtighten and squash the washer.
2. Fill the container with some water to check that there are no leaks coming from the seal of the tap. Then empty the water.
3. Make sure the strainer is already firmly in position at the bottom of the bucket and that the green seal is firmly inserted at the bottom of the lid.

How do I use my Bokashi Bin?

1. You can start adding your cooked and uncooked food scraps into your Bokashi Bin straight away.

2. When adding food waste, give the contents 6-10 sprays of the liquid Bokashi. If you have added  a large amount of waste in one day then add more Bokashi. If you find your system begins to smell over time, then you should be spraying more Bokashi and ensuring that you drain the liquid from the tap.

3. Each time you add waste, be sure to condense the contents down using the compactor provided. This will serve to extract the air and liquid from the organic matter.

4. It is always important to keep the lid shut properly when the container is not being filled. This is an anaerobic (without oxygen) composting system so the less air the better. Make sure to close the clips as this will prevent the lid from rising.

5. It can take up to a week for the liquid, or juice, to build up inside. As the system works best with little or no liquid building up in the reservoir, it is important to check the reservoir levels daily. Don’t worry if no liquid comes out as this will vary from time to time. Also please note that as the bucket is airtight, the liquid may only drain out of the tap if the lid is open to allow air to enter

The extracted liquid contains nutrients and beneficial microbes that can aid in the growth and development of plants and shrubs. Dilute the liquid 1:100 with water and apply to the soil around plants. For trees and shrubs dilute 50ml in 5 litres of water and apply to the soil.
Never apply directly to foliage.
Another option is to pour the concentrated liquid directly down your kitchen and bathroom sinks, toilets or septic systems. The liquid will help to control odours and prevent algae build-up. The liquid feed should be used within a day or two after draining from the container.

6. When the Bokashi Bin is full, store away from direct sunlight. If you have a second Bokashi Bin you can start adding waste to this. Ideally the waste should stay in the composter for around two to three weeks, with the liquid being drained every few days.

7. When you are ready to dispose of the contents, you can add it to an outdoor composter and mix in well. Alternatively, dig a small hole or trench in your garden soil (approximately 25cm deep), spread the contents 2-3cm thick and cover with soil. The mixture will break down, enriching the soil as it does so. It is quite acidic at first, so it is best not to bury it too close to plants or tree roots. After around two months, the bokashi mass will be almost entirely decomposed into the soil and can then be planted into or used elsewhere in your garden.
   Decomposition occurs much faster in summer. The Bokashi contents can also be added to a wormery in small amounts so the worms gradually get used to it, but take care to neutralise the acidity by adding crushed eggshells or garden lime.

Cleaning and Maintenance

After emptying, rinse the container with water (no detergents or soaps) and allow to dry thoroughly.
Once dry the unit is ready for use again.

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