COMPANY

Earth Probiotic was founded in 2010 with the express purpose of diverting food waste from landfill.The company is privately owned and run by Karen and Gavin Heron (based in Johannesburg).Earth Probiotic utilises bokashi - Japanese for "organic fermented matter" - to enable the easy recycling of food waste into soil food.Working with our clients across South Africa we have managed to divert (an estimate based on current usage) over 100 tonnes from landfill in the past year.

screenshot_33

HOW IT WORKS

Using anaerobic digesters food-waste - including cooked and uncooked meat, sea-food, onions, garlic and dairy - is layered with bokashi where a fermentation process occurs.
535980_345858292136553_1807916422_n
After fermentation the bin is left closed for two weeks to complete fermentation.
After the two weeks the fermented - stable and non-rotting - food waste can be safely trenched, composted or fed to worms.
Stacks Image 133

WHAT IS BOKASHI?

Bokashi wheat-bran inoculated with a mix of probiotic bacteria, yeast and fungi.Developed in the 1980s in Japan bokashi is now globally used for the management of food waste. There are many recipes for bokashi - just google "how to make bokashi" - but in general you need a carrier (bran), molasses, water and the mix of EM (effective micro-organisms). Bokashi is safe, natural and 100% biodegradable. Bokashi breaks downfood waste through a fermentation process.

FOOD WASTE RECYCLING BENEFITS

When wet-waste is separated from other waste, dry recyclable volumes increase by over 30%. So, through this simple action, not only are you turning food-waste into a resource you are also reducing the volume of other material going to landfill.
  • Reduce landfill loads.
  • Reduce CO2e greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Build soil health.
  • Enhance plant growth in gardening and agricultural use.
  • Eliminate malodour in kitchens and the environment.
  • Help control fly, roach and rodent infestions.
Stacks Image 157

FERMENTATION

The fermentation of food waste is crucial to the process. Not only does this stop rotting (and thus smells) it also pre-digests the food waste so that it can be quickly and easily composted or trenched. As the food waste does not rot no CO2e emissions are released.The fermentation process also releases amino acids thus enabling faster uptake of nutrients by plants.

FOOD WASTE RECYCLING SOLUTIONS

Earth Probiotic provides solutions for commercial kitchens, B&B and restaurants, schools. clubs and domestic households.For more information you can find contacts here.

Stacks Image 94