How to use bokashi to transform food waste into fertile soil

In the heart of Bristol, a quiet revolution is taking place—one that transforms food waste into rich, living compost. At Generation Soil CIC, we believe that waste isn’t waste until we waste it. By closing the loop on food waste through bokashi composting, we’re regenerating soil health, supporting biodiversity, and building a more sustainable food system.

What is Bokashi Composting?

Bokashi is a fermentation-based composting method that uses beneficial microbes to break down food waste quickly and efficiently. Unlike traditional composting, bokashi can process all types of food scraps, including meat and dairy, without generating foul odours or attracting pests. The process involves layering food waste with bokashi bran, a mix of wheat bran and microorganisms that accelerate decomposition through anaerobic fermentation.

How Bokashi Works

1. Collect food waste: Instead of throwing food scraps in the bin, they are added to a bokashi bin.

2. Sprinkle bokashi bran: Each layer of food waste is coated with bokashi bran, introducing beneficial bacteria and fungi.

3. Seal the bin: The airtight environment promotes fermentation rather than rotting, preserving nutrients.

4. Drain the liquid: The bokashi process produces a nutrient-rich liquid, known as ‘bokashi tea,’ which can be diluted and used as a natural fertiliser.

5. Bury or compost the fermented waste: After two weeks, the pre-composted material can be added to soil or a compost system, where it breaks down rapidly, enriching the earth with nutrients and microbial life.

   
   

   

   
   

Why Bokashi is a Game-Changer

Traditional composting methods can take months, require regular turning, and struggle to process certain food types. Bokashi, on the other hand:

• Speeds up composting: The fermentation process makes food waste ready for soil integration in just a few weeks.

• Boosts soil health: The microbes in bokashi-treated waste improve soil structure, enhance nutrient availability, and support plant growth.

• Reduces food waste odours: The anaerobic fermentation process prevents putrefaction, keeping waste odour-free.

• Sequesters carbon: By improving soil organic matter, bokashi contributes to carbon capture and soil regeneration.

How we use Bokashi in Our Bristol Compost Project

At Generation Soil CIC, we integrate bokashi composting into our food waste recycling initiative. Our method combines bokashi-treated food waste with locally sourced larch and Douglas fir woodchip, enhancing microbial activity and creating high-quality compost for farms, gardens, and our upcoming agroforestry market garden.

Our agroforestry market garden will use this compost to improve soil fertility naturally, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers while boosting biodiversity and food production. By combining bokashi with regenerative soil practices, we’re building a model for decentralised composting that supports food security and climate resilience.

Get Involved in the Bokashi Revolution

If you live in Bristol and want to embrace the power of bokashi composting, here’s how you can join us:

• Join our composting scheme: We provide food waste collection services for households, businesses, and community groups, integrating bokashi into our process.

• Attend our bokashi workshops: Learn how to set up and maintain your own bokashi composting system.

• Volunteer with us: Help us process food waste, maintain our composting site, and spread the word about bokashi.

• Support our agroforestry market garden: Your contributions help us scale our efforts and regenerate more soil.

Bokashi composting is more than just waste management—it’s a powerful tool for soil regeneration, food security, and climate resilience. By embracing this method, we can turn food waste into a resource, not a problem.

Join us at Generation Soil CIC and be part of the bokashi-powered movement transforming Bristol’s food system. Let’s compost for a better future!