Bokashi Composting in Australia

2017-03-28T20:16:00.000+11:00

Oh crikey, it's been a long time since I posted. I have been traveling for over 1 year, to & in the great country of New Zealand. I have learned a lot more about the professional cooking of food.

I have started out by looking at how we cook our food? What machines do we use?

More posts coming in the next few days about my recent findings and updates about the www.bokashi.com.au business in Australia and how its helping people become more sustainable in your own back yard.

Composting Methods: Which One Is Right For You?

2015-11-27T19:31:00.001+11:00

If you have decided to take the plunge and start composting there are a number of ways you can go about it. The best approach for you will depend on your needs and lifestyle – the following guide will make your decision easy.

Hot Versus Cold

Almost all composting methods are considered to be either hot or cold; here is a brief look at the main differences.

Hot composting

This involves building and maintaining a high temperature at the centre of your compost pile, which is done by turning your compost regularly, keeping it moist and adding enough high-nitrogen materials. The heat generated breaks down organic matter extremely quickly and can even kill seeds from weeds.

Cold composting

To cold compost, simply pile your organic waste and let nature take its course! While virtually no effort is required, this method takes a lot longer to create compost and won’t kill seeds.

Whether you want to compost hot, cold or otherwise, the following are some of your best options.

Closed Bins

Closed bin composters are usually bottomless – sitting directly on top of the soil. They feature a lid, through which you can add your organic material, some have a low door for collecting the finished product.

Pros

Inexpensive
Organic matter is hidden
Can handle large volumes
Drains excess moisture easily

Cons

Not always easy to access finished compost
Difficult to turn
Can attract pests

Tumblers

A variation of the closed bin method, this approach commonly features a closed container mounted on a support structure above the ground. There is a door through which you can add your organics, and a handle attached for turning it.

Pros

Organic matter is hidden
Easy to turn
Highly pest-proof

Cons

Expensive
Heavy when full
Some models are difficult to spin when 2/3 full
The compost has no contact with the soil

Bokashi Composting

The Bokashi method uses microorganisms to ferment your organic waste, which is then either buried or added to an existing compost pile.

Pros

It’s very easy and fast
Waste is conveniently collected in the kitchen, without attracting insects
Can compost all food waste, including citrus, meat, dairy
Produces bokashi juice, a rich liquid fertiliser

Cons

Requires a constant supply of bokashi mix
Limited capacity for waste
Requires empty garden space to bury the waste

Vermicomposting – Worm Farms

Certain types of worms will eat your organic waste and turn it into compost via their excrement. Apart from the worms, you will need a 3 or 4 level structure that has decent drainage, good air flow and a ‘bedding’ of moist, shredded paper.

Pros

Organic matter is hidden
Compact, no garden is required
Produces worm juice, an excellent liquid fertiliser

Cons

Worms require weekly care, i.e. right temperature & moisture levels
Limited capacity for waste
Cannot accept all food waste i.e. citrus, onions

Inground composting

This method involves burying your organics directly into the ground.

Pros

Free
Organic matter is hidden

Cons

Slow
Labour-intensive
Can attract pests
Requires empty garden space to bury the waste

Open Bin Systems

A system of bins where organic materials are separated based on how fresh or decomposed they are.

Pros

Easy to turn and harvest
Organic matter is partially hidden
Ideal for hot composting

Cons

Organic matter is partially visible
Requires a large space
Can attract pests

There is a composting method that will work well for just about anyone. If you need help deciding, talk to the experts at Bokashi.

Turning Compost: To Turn or Not To Turn?

2015-11-15T19:17:00.001+11:00

Pet O

2015-10-19T22:15:00.000+11:00

We loved this innovative idea today from Pet O in Brookvale, Sydney. An EnsoPet station for customers pets! Their Brookvale store will have stock from tomorrow evening. GO AND CHECK IT OUT.
Posted by Bokashi One on Thursday, 8 October 2015

Should my Bokashi Bucket be producing more liquid waste?

2015-09-27T20:59:00.001+10:00

Should my Bokashi Bucket be producing more liquid waste?

Can You Combine Food & Pet Waste in One Bokashi Compost Bin?

2015-09-27T20:58:00.001+10:00

Can You Combine Food & Pet Waste in One Bokashi Compost Bin?

Great Gifts for Pet Owners - Fathers Day 2015

2015-08-31T19:11:00.000+10:00

Finding great gifts for pet owners can be a lot of fun, especially when you get to see them and their pet enjoying your present together. If you are stuck for ideas here are a few of our best gift ideas for pet owners.

Healthy Pet Food

Pet food certainly isn’t cheap, especially if you want to feed your pet food that is actually good for them. Giving the gift of healthy pet food will not only save your friend some money, it will also be an investment in the health and happiness of their pet. For maximum effect, find out about what their pet’s favourite foods are before making your purchase.

A Pet Poop Composter

Dogs and cats generate a lot of waste, and while eco-friendly poop bags or biodegradable litter are one way to deal with it, the most eco-friendly solution is to compost it.

Pet waste composting requires a specialised system that is designed to kill harmful pathogens and creates compost that is ideal for enriching the soil around non-edible plants. If you have a friend who has a pet as well as a garden, a pet waste composting system makes an ideal gift – systems which use the bokashi method (like the EnsoPet), and worm farms are two of your best options. An eco-friendly present benefits not only your friend, but the environment as well.

A Pet Portrait

Are you buying for a pet owner who seems to have everything? Give them a gift that they will cherish forever by having a local artist paint their pet’s portrait. This is a particularly thoughtful gift for those whose pets are entering the later stages of their life, and if the portrait’s style and colours are right it can make a marvellous addition to their home’s interior design.

Grooming Products

Make it easy for that pet owner to pamper their beloved pet by giving them a few quality grooming products. You can get high-quality shampoos and conditioners for pets that are made from all-natural ingredients, or if their pet is dealing with fleas, pick up an eco-friendly flea treatment! A decent brush or a new pair of clippers is also sure to be appreciated.

Amazing Accessories

The best presents are often products that you didn’t even know existed, so take a look at the vast array of pet accessories and you’re bound to find something amazing. Whether you pick up a fancy collar, a glow in the dark toy or a bag of gourmet organic treats, look for items that you know they will actually use.

Pet Sitting

As wonderful as it is to be a pet owner, unless you have someone willing to pet sit for you, having a furry child can make it difficult to spend time away from home. Offering your pet sitting services for a specific period of time is a practical gift that you know will be appreciated, so make up a personalised certificate that your friend can redeem whenever they want.

If you are still unsure of the best gift for your pet owner friend, look online, ask your local pet shop or get advice from other pet owners. If you are thinking of gifting a pet composting system, talk to the experts at Bokashi.

EnsoPet Shopping, Australia

Eco Fest @ The PBC

2014-10-31T21:36:00.002+11:00

Tomorrow Saturday 1st November at 11:00am - 6:00pm
Show Map

Petersham Bowling Club, 77 Brighton St, Petersham, Sydney, Australia 2049

Come on down to your PBC for a day of learning about how we can work together towards are more sustainable life in the city.

Workshops on the day will include:
Seed Raising | Edible Gardens | Composting | Sustainable Blocks | RainWater Harvesting | Permaculture Seed Saving

And for the kids, Mic Conway performing “Rubbish”
http://thepbc.org.au/whats-on-the-pbc/

Waste less food to save money and the environment

2014-10-22T22:22:00.001+11:00

Richard Cornish and Jill Dupleix

It was apocalyptic. Flames were leaping as gas escaped through cracks in the earth at an inner-city park that had once been a tip. Recent rain had formed puddles on the earth covering the former tip and bubbles were forming. Curious, I took a lighter to the bubbles and suddenly the ground was alight. Methane. Decades of buried household rubbish, mostly food waste, was decomposing into flammable gas.
"When food is buried in landfill it produces methane which is 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide," says Cassie Duncan of Sustainable Table, a nonprofit group that uses discussions around food to raise important issues about sustainability. "Food waste in the home is a massive problem."

Carrot-top pesto. Photo: Jill Dupleix

Duncan cites some alarming statistics. "Annually Australians throw away over $8 billion dollars worth of food, most of which ends up in landfill," she says. In Sydney alone $1 billion of edible food is thrown away annually, according to the University of Western Sydney, or $1036 worth of wasted food for every household. Victorians are even more wasteful, with each household wasting around $2000 worth of food, according to Sustainability Victoria research. Every year in NSW $848 million of fresh food is thrown out, $694 million of leftovers, $371 million of packaged food, $231 million of drinks, the same in frozen food and $180 million in take away food.
That is simply the dollar value of the food to the end consumer. The net cost to the environment includes fertiliser, fuel for production and transport plus energy for processing and refrigeration. The hidden cost to the Australian economy is lost potential exports.
According to a report by the UN Food and Agricultural report, "in rich countries ... people simply can afford to waste food" whereas in traditional cultures and poorer communities people buy smaller amounts of food that they will cook and eat each day.
"The worst offenders are families with children in households with an income of $100,000 and young consumers between 18 and 24," says Duncan. "As a nation we throw out one in five bags of groceries, which means that 40 per cent of household rubbish is food."
But there are some simple things we can do to reduce waste and save money.
Jo Sayer is a mother of two living in Elwood, Melbourne. "I thought I was doing the right thing recycling my rubbish and throwing the food waste in the bin thinking that being biodegradable it would decompose," she says. "I was quite shocked to learn that food in landfill created methane." Sayer was filling a large black garbage sack with rubbish every week. After seeing a video produced by Sustainable Table called Waste Deep, she and her family made a few basic changes to the way they shopped and ate.
"I was buying too much food each week and wasn't using everything," says Sayer. "So I started planning meals and found I was buying less." Managing her leftover food better, storing it properly and using leftovers in other meals also helped reduce waste. She and her husband gave up buying fruit and vegetables at the supermarket, instead shopping at the local farmer's market. "Our fruit and vegetable bill has almost halved," says Sayer. They now save between $1200 and $1500 a year on their fruit and veg bill alone.
"It's most important to stop waste at the beginning of the pipeline," says Jade Herriman, research principal at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at University of Technology Sydney. She and her team are working with Sydney Institute of TAFE to educate apprentice chefs in "root to stalk" cooking, a play on nose to tail eating, the concept in which every part of an animal is used.
"It starts with menu planning but also knowing what to do with food," she says. "In my grandparents' time food was so much more costly that food waste just didn't exist," she says. "There is still a moral dimension to wasting food – it's that we have lost or forgotten many traditional food preserving skills and ways of cooking. We want to bring back those skills such as drying, bottling, preserving and others not just to save waste but ultimately produce more creative but also more profitable chefs." Herriman and her team are taking part in Good Food Month with chef Jay Huxley demonstrating low waste cookery at Sydney Institute of TAFE on October 28 noon-2pm.
The other part of the equation is making better use of unavoidable food waste such as pumpkin peel, teabags and avocado shells. Sayer found a solution by buying a subsidised compost bin through her local council. In it goes all the food waste, including egg shells, bones and citrus peel. "My young daughters call it the 'Green Cone Monster' and love looking into it and watching their scraps transform," says Sayer. Instead of putting a bag in the rubbish each week, now there is just one a month. "We can have it in the kitchen and it doesn't smell because there is no food in it."
Another method of avoiding food waste involves using animals as living converting units. Our family has developed an integrated waste management system that sees no organic matter hit the rubbish bin. Our two chickens eat the household scraps and any hard bits they don't eat, such as cabbage stalks, are fed to the rabbit. The rabbit in turn manures on straw in which thrives worms. The hay and the worms are given to the chickens. The chickens, in turn, manure the straw that is collected and composted with all the hard and undesirable organics such as pumpkin and potato peel. The compost is spread on to the vegetable garden and around the fruit trees. This all happens in a small back garden attached to a single-fronted Victorian terrace house .
For those who don't have space for a compost bin, there are alternatives such as the Bokashi One composting system, an airtight bucket into which scraps are added along with a mix of bacterial cultures that "ferment" the scraps without producing odours. Once broken down, the compost can be used as garden fertiliser. Another option is an upmarket mechanical biodigester called the CLO'ey. It's about the same size as a bar fridge and uses heat, agitation and heat-loving microbes to turn up to four kilograms of kitchen waste into clean, pasteurised garden-friendly compost in 24 hours. Some local councils, such as Sydney's Leichhardt Municipal Council, are beginning to offer food waste collection, where residents of flats place food waste in a container about the size of a wine cask, lined with a biodegradable bag made from starch. This goes into the communal bins and is delivered to an electricity plant, where the scraps are digested and turned into gas, which is then burned to generate electricity.
"There is no waste in nature," says Sustainable Table's Cassie Duncan. "It is a human construct." This year her organisation is pushing hard to help people eliminate food waste in their homes through their giveafork.com.au campaign. During October she and her team are encouraging Australians to learn how easy it is to stop food waste by throwing a waste-free dinner party.
When people sign up for this fundraiser they receive a free ebook full of practical ideas and tips such as cooking with beetroot leaves and potato skins. "With a little imagination you can eliminate most waste, save money and compost what's left to nourish the soil to grow more food," says Duncan. "It's a perfect circle."
What's your best tip for using up food scraps? Log in to comment below.

Randwick Eco-Living Fair 2014 - Sunday 14 September 2014

2014-08-21T22:24:00.000+10:00

http://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/community/whats-on/eco-living-fair/about-the-eco-living-fair

Celebrating all things green and sustainable

Eco-living Fair

Sunday 14 September 2014.
It is held at the Randwick Community Centre located at 27 Munda Street, Randwick.
See Getting there and parking for directions.
Eco-Living Fair will be celebrating its tenth year, and will continue to provide a range of new and popular activities for local residents and their families.
There will be:

Outdoor stalls promoting and showcasing environmental friendly products from across the Eastern suburbs and wider Sydney
Family and children's entertainment, native wildlife on show for youngsters to learn about the importance of biodiversity, and sessions on how to save on householders' energy and water bills.

There will also be:

A Junk Juke Box promoting recycling and anti-litter messages,
Craft sessions for all age groups
Composting workshops encouraging residents to sign up to Council initiatives including the Compost Revolution.

Many local partner organisations attend to provide information and conduct formal and informal talks and workshops based on the environmental issues that affect our community in their homes, at school and in the workplace.
Other popular events on the day include Council's Garden Awards, cycling activities and free bicycle maintenance workshops, tours of the Randwick Environment Park and "ask the experts" sessions on keeping bees and chickens and sustainable food production.
More information of the Fair will be available on our What's on closer to the day.

Eco-Living Fair aims and objectives

We hope that people come to the Eco-Living Fair wanting to find out more about how to live sustainably and how to reduce their ecological footprint - particularly energy and water consumption.
Our aim is that every person leaves having learnt something about the environment or a tip about how to tread more lightly on the earth.
Our event is powered by renewable forms of energy including wind, solar and bio diesel and we are giving away over 3000 trees to our visitors to help offset the carbon used in the event's infrastructure delivery and operation.
Food and food scraps will be collected and will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for our worms in our huge worm farm.
We are also running a book exchange - bring along an old book and swap it for one you haven't read yet.
We encourage sustainable transport and offer a free shuttle bus service and bike valet - so hop on a bus or hop on a bike and get dropped off right at the door.

Eco Living Fair 2013

A big THANK YOU to everyone who came along to the 2013 Eco-Living Fair!
It was a great day to celebrate our community and come together to learn more about the environment and actions we can take to tread more lightly on the earth.
We hope everyone who came picked up some good advice, learnt something new or sampled from one of our many stalls or food trucks.
Take a look at the highlights from last year's Eco-Living Fair.

Win a Bokashi One Bucket and Mix with Sustainable House Day 2014!

2014-08-08T19:04:00.000+10:00

Sustainable House Day 2014 is giving you the opportunity to WIN!! a Bokashi One™ bucket and mix as part of the competition they are running.
For all the details (and to enter) see the Facebook page here

https://www.facebook.com/sustainablehouseday?ref_type=bookmark

If you don't have Facebook? No problems, just click on this website link, you can still enter separately from Facebook. http://sustainablehouseday.com/blog/shd-competitions/

Household chemical and e-waste drop-off - Marrickville Council

2014-07-21T22:08:00.000+10:00

Marrickville Council provides four free drop-off events throughout the year where you can take your e-waste for recycling and dispose of unwanted chemicals safely.

Upcoming events

■Saturday 9 August 2014, 9am–3.30pm
E-waste: Open to ALL residents.
Household chemicals: Open to Marrickville Council residents only.

■Saturday 8 November 2014, 9am–3.30pm
E-waste: Open to ALL residents.
Household chemicals: Open to ALL residents.

Location: Marrickville Council Works Depot, 15-17 Unwins Bridge Road, St Peters

Entry is via Bolton Street and exit via Unwins Bridge Road as it is a left-hand turn only.

Do not leave chemicals and e-waste items outside the gate after opening hours – this is dangerous and will be treated as an illegal dumping matter. No materials can be dropped off or accepted at Marrickville Council Works Depot prior to or after the event.

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 items only and not e-waste items.
For other drop off points for televisions and computers visit http://recyclingnearyou.com.au/computers/MarrickvilleNSW.

Council would like to thank Techcollect who are covering the recycling costs of televisions and computers collected at our next event on Saturday 8 February 2014 under the national product stewardship scheme.

Household chemicals we accept

 Solvents and household cleaners
 Household batteries
 Fluorescent globes and tubes
 Smoke detectors
 Painting and paint-related products
 Pesticides and herbicides
 Poisons
 Gas bottles
 Fire extinguishers
 Pool chemicals
 Hobby chemicals
 Acids and alkalis
 Car batteries
 Motor oils, fuels and fluids

E-waste we accept
 Computers and accessories
 TVs and monitors
 Videos, CDs, DVDs and floppy disks
 Printers, scanners, copiers, fax machines
 Telephones – mobile and landline
 Power tools, including cordless drills etc
 Entertainment appliances
 Household appliances e.g. vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, microwaves
 Cameras and recorders
 Electronic games e.g. consoles, joysticks

What we do NOT accept

 Air conditioners
 Freezers and fridges
 Cardboard boxes and packaging
 Empty paint containers

All brands are accepted. Bring along your electronic item from the home office, entertainment area, kitchen and shed. We also accept electronic toys and gadgets.

Important tips to transport chemicals safely
 Never mix chemicals as this may produce dangerous reactions
 Please remember to pack unwanted chemicals in secure containers to ensure that the chemicals do not leak or spill
 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
http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/Global/Environment/Recycling%20and%20waste/HCCFlyer.pdf

Link to Council Website Details about This Event http://www.marrickville.nsw.gov.au/en/environment/recycling-and-waste/household-chemical-and-e-waste-drop-off/

Can I put my Breakfast Muesli in the Bokashi Bucket?

2014-07-21T18:22:00.000+10:00

www.bokashi.com.au Absolutely you can put your breakfast cereal leftovers in the Bokashi bucket.

Compost Toilets

2014-06-08T23:06:00.000+10:00

Did you know? The same Bokashi One™ mix you use in your Bokashi One™ bucket is also (can also be used) used across the country in Long Drops/National Park Remote Toilets to treat the decomposition of human faeces. Amazing!

Spare Parts or Instructions Holding You Up?

2014-05-22T22:33:00.001+10:00

Don't let a split lid, missing grate or blocked tap stop you from proceeding with your Bokashi One™ system working! Contact your local reseller or, message Bokashi One™ direct for parts info and system tips across Australia.

Call the Bokashi Hotline on 1300 902 880 Monday - Friday and Bokashi One™ will post you a full set of instructions/tips/FAQ's free of charge. Or email info@bokashi.com.au with a request for instructions.

Bokashi Bucket Tips & Comments - April '14

2014-04-04T23:03:00.003+11:00

In no Particular Order:

Don't keep your bucket in direct sunlight or on a Hot Balcony/Porch. (high temperatures will kill the microbial activity)
If the pickled waste smells bad? Then that may not mean the system has failed, it could be for a number of reasons. Discard, or bury the waste, wash out bucket and start again with the provided instructions, and use a fresh bag of Bokashi mix. For instructions that meet Australian conditions, feel free to request a complimentary booklet via info@bokashi.com.au including your *Australian Postal Address.
Drain off the Bokashi juice regularly. If you don't believe you can water it out regularly (Watering Can/Veges/Ornamental's), then you can always use it as a Natural Drain Cleaner around the house pipes. The Juice is alive with not only microbial activity, but also the nutrients and proteins of the food waste you have been collecting. As time goes by, the life of these benefits decreases. You cannot save this juice beyond a few days and expect it to be beneficial.
The taps provided with the bucket pictured in this blog are maintainable. If they are blocked, then try and use the tip of a bamboo skewer to clear the blockage. Alternatively, they can be disassembled and reassembled. We recommend you disassemble/re-assemble each year as a service, washing each part and checking for wear. Replacement taps are available for a small cost in Australia in various colours. Request Parts at your Local Australian Stockist, or request a price from Manufacturer Direct. Tap Maintenance Video

I hope you find this tip's useful. I you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact the writer via this Blogspace.

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

2014-02-05T21:33:00.000+11:00

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)

2014-01-17T22:11:00.003+11:00

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!

2013-12-31T22:00:00.000+11:00

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

2013-10-17T22:37:00.000+11:00

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?

2013-10-17T22:21:00.000+11:00

Drain off excess juices and bury your waste.

Kogarah City Council (NSW) Sells Bokashi Buckets

2013-10-17T22:09:00.000+11:00

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)

2013-10-09T22:46:00.001+11:00

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

2013-09-30T22:04:00.002+10:00

Bokashi One Stand

Pedal Power

Interactive Recycling Performance

More Pedalling

Found this sign pointing to a rubbish bin?

Recycle Organic Waste

2013-09-22T21:01:00.000+10:00

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.

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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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