As yucky as it is, dealing with pet waste is an inevitable part of being a pet owner, and all that poop has a significant negative impact on the environment. However, a great eco-friendly way to dispose of your pet’s waste at home is by composting. There are several different ways that you can compost your pet’s poop, but one super easy way is to bokashi pet waste!
In this article, we’ll explain what bokashi is, how to use it to compost pet poop, and the benefits of doing so.
What is Bokashi?
Bokashi is a Japanese method of composting, meaning “fermented organic matter”. The process uses a mixture of effective microorganisms to break down organic waste into a nutrient-rich fertiliser. Unlike traditional composting, bokashi is an anaerobic process, which means it doesn’t require oxygen.
Bokashi and the cultivation of naturally occurring soil microorganisms are suggested to have been a common agricultural practice in many Asian countries for centuries. However, it was Dr. Teruo Higa, a professor at the University of Ryukyus, in Okinawa, Japan, who further developed bokashi in the early 1980s.
Bokashi composting can be done indoors or outdoors and requires minimal space and equipment. While bokashi is frequently described as a type of composting, it’s actually a form of fermentation similar to pickling. The process involves layering organic waste, such as kitchen scraps, in a bucket with a bokashi inoculant, more commonly known as bokashi bran.
Bokashi bran consists of a blend of effective microorganisms (EM), such as lactobacilli and yeast, mixed with either wheat bran or wheat germ that have been steeped in molasses which provides a food source for EM.
Bokashi is faster than other types of composting, on average only taking two weeks to break down the organic waste. And when done correctly it’s virtually odourless! The finished fertiliser can then be dug into a fallow spot in your garden and used to enrich the soil.
Overall, bokashi is a fast and effective way to turn organic waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser. It’s an environmentally friendly method of waste disposal that can be used by anyone, regardless of whether they have a large garden or just a small patio.
Can You Put Pet Waste in a Bokashi Compost?
Yes, you can put pet waste in a bokashi compost! Bokashi is an easy and fast way to dispose of pet waste, reducing the environmental impact of your pets by keeping their waste out of landfill and creating nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used in your ornamental garden.
The bokashi system is easy to manage and maintain, making it a great choice for those that lack time but want an eco-friendly way to dispose of pet waste. Bokashi also breaks down waste much faster than traditional composting, taking as little as two weeks to ferment. Additionally, bokashi has a very small set-up footprint, so is ideally suited to anyone with limited outdoor space.
However, it’s important to note that pet waste can contain many harmful pathogens and parasites that can be dangerous to human health. So, when it comes to disposing of pet waste care should be taken. While it is suggested that the bokashi fermentation process can kill the pathogens that may be lurking in pet waste, it is advised that any fertiliser made from pet waste only be used on non-edible plants.
Who Is The Bokashi Pet Waste System Best Suited For?
The bokashi pet waste system is a great option for a wide range of pet owners and is so easy anyone can do it. However, some groups of pet parents may find it particularly beneficial.
Pet owners short on space: If you live in a small apartment or don’t have a large garden, traditional composting may not be an option for you. Bokashi composting, on the other hand, can be done in a small container and doesn’t require much space at all.
Pet owners that lack time: Traditional composting can be time consuming and requires regular maintenance to ensure that the compost is breaking down properly. Bokashi composting is a much simpler process that requires little maintenance once the initial set-up is done.
Gardeners: One of the main benefits of composting pet waste is the ability to turn it into a nutrient-rich fertiliser that can be used to nourish your garden. Bokashi composting produces a highly concentrated form of compost that is packed with nutrients and beneficial microbes.
Overall, the bokashi pet waste system is a great option for pet owners looking for a simple and efficient way to compost their pet’s waste. Whether you’re short on space, short on time, or just want to reap the benefits of a nutrient-rich compost, bokashi composting is definitely worth considering.
5 Reasons Why You Should Bokashi Pet Waste
Bokashi composting is a great way to dispose of dog poop because it offers a number of benefits over traditional methods of pet waste disposal. Here are some of the main reasons why you should try bokashi to dispose of pet waste:
- Eco-Friendly: Traditional methods of pet waste disposal, such as throwing it in the trash or burying it in the backyard, can have negative environmental impacts. By composting dog poop with a bokashi system, you’re diverting waste from the landfill and giving a new purpose to pet poop that would otherwise be a nutrient pollutant.
- Easy: Bokashi is a simple process that requires minimal effort and maintenance. It’s super easy, anyone can do it.
- Scalable: Bokashi has a small set-up footprint, and depending on how many pets you have and how much waste you need to dispose of the bokashi system can easily be scaled up or down to suit your composting needs.
- Fertiliser: For the green-fingered among you the added bonus of composting your pets’ waste is that you can produce your own nutrient-rich fertiliser for your ornamental garden.
- Cost-Effective: While there is an initial investment, bokashi composting systems are relatively inexpensive. While you will have to stay stocked up on bokashi bran think of all the money you’ll save on dog poop bags and fertiliser!
Bokashi really is a fantastic eco-friendly way to dispose of pet waste. It’s also a great place to start if you’re interested in composting your pet’ waste, without committing to the time and maintenance that a traditional compost requires.
Now let’s see what you’ll need to get you started!
Equipment and Things You Will Need
Before you begin it’s important to make sure you have all the necessary equipment and materials. Luckily, bokashi doesn’t require much equipment, but you will need a few essentials to get you started.
- Bokashi Buckets: You will need two bokashi containers. Really, the containers are just buckets with airtight seals and some come with a spigot that allows you to drain off excess liquid. The benefit of two containers is that you can continue filling one while the other is fermenting.
- Bokashi Bran: Bokashi bran is a key ingredient in the bokashi composting process. It contains effective microorganisms that break down pet waste and neutralize harmful bacteria and pathogens.
- Trowel or Poop Scoop: You will need a trowel or poop scoop to mix the dog poop with the bokashi bran.
- Pet Waste: Of course, you will need pet poop to compost! It’s important to use only pet waste in your composting system, and not mix it with other types of waste.
You can either buy a bokashi kit with everything you need or set up your own DIY bokashi pet waste system. If you do choose the DIY route ensure that your containers are airtight, as successful fermentation relies on an anaerobic environment!
Once you have all your equipment you will need to plan where you are going to set up your bokashi system. This should preferably be an outdoor space, that is out of direct sunlight. While you can keep your bokashi indoors, when composting pet waste it’s advised to keep it outside, such as balcony or garden patio.
How to Bokashi Pet Waste: Step-by-Step
Using bokashi to compost pet waste couldn’t be simpler. There are two methods you can use to bokashi pet waste, the dry method or the wet method (aka the submerged method).
The Dry Method
- To begin, sprinkle a layer of bokashi bran in the bottom of your bokashi composting container.
- Next, add the poop (don’t add poop bags as these will not break down) and sprinkle another layer of bokashi bran on top of the poop. Keep layering poop and bokashi bran, compressing as you go to remove any pockets of air.
- Once full, seal the container tightly and leave it to ferment for at least two weeks, after which time the waste will have broken down into a nutrient-rich fertiliser. Meanwhile, you can start the process again, collecting waste in the second container.
- After two weeks, dig a hole in your garden, about one-foot deep should be fine, and bury the contents of the container. Before burying, you can siphon off any excess liquid (leachate, or “tea” as some call it) and use it as a liquid fertiliser. However, be sure to dilute the leachate with water (1:100) before use as it’s very potent.
- Leave the buried fertiliser for at least four weeks to allow the microbes to finish doing their job. Once the wait is over you can use the soil to enrich your ornamental garden.
The Wet Method
- Fill a bokashi bucket about halfway with water and some bokashi bran.
- Next, add in the pet waste. Continue adding poop and a sprinkle of bran until nearly the container is full.
- Once nearly full, seal the bucket and leave for two weeks to allow the contents to ferment and fully degrade. Meanwhile, start collecting waste in the second container.
- After two weeks, the contents should be fully fermented. Bury the contents of the container in a one-foot deep trench. As with the dry method, you can siphon off some of the liquid to use as fertiliser, but remember to dilute with water (1:100) before use.
- Leave the buried fertiliser for at least 4 weeks to allow enough time for the microbes to finish working, then you can use the fertilised soil to enrich all your non-edible plants.
Whichever method you choose, follow our easy step-by-step guide and you’ll be a composting pro in no time!
Bokashi Considerations
Temperature And Winter
One thing to consider when choosing bokashi as your method of composting pet waste is that temperature is a key factor. The optimum temperature range for bokashi is between 21-28˚C (70-100˚F), however, when temperatures fall below 4˚C (40˚F) it can slow down the fermentation process.
If you live in an area where you are hit by a drop in temperature over winter try to store your bokashi buckets somewhere that doesn’t get too cold, such as a garage or lean-to. You should also increase the fermentation time by a least a few days, to ensure everything gets broken down properly. Additionally, depending on how much waste your pets produce you want to consider adding an extra bokashi bucket to your set-up to allow for the extra fermentation time.
Another potential issue with winter temperatures is that it may prohibit you from burying your bokashi compost due to frozen ground. However, you can simply store the fermented bokashi compost in airtight containers until spring when the ground starts to thaw and you can bury the fertiliser.
Also, be sure to store your bokashi bran where temperatures will not fall below freezing, ideally keep it at room temperature. Freezing temperatures can kill the effective microorganisms in the bokashi bran, rendering it useless.
Health Concerns
While bokashi is generally considered safe for composting pet waste, there are a few potential issues and health concerns to be aware of. Pet waste can contain many pathogens and parasites that can be harmful to both humans and other animals. With this in mind, great care should be taken when dealing with pet waste, however, there are a few things you can do to mitigate potential issues.
- Always wear gloves. While this may seem extreme, gloves help to keep you protected from any nasties.
- Keep any tools you use for bokashi separate from your other gardening tools. For example, if you have a little hand trowel that you use to scoop the poop, don’t use it for gardening, keep it as your designated pooper scooper. This will help avoid any possible contamination and also means you can treat yourself to a new hand trowel for gardening.
- Only use bokashi fertiliser on non-edible plants. While it is suggested that the bokashi fermentation process kills the pathogens found in animal waste, it is recommended to err on the side of caution and only use bokashi fertiliser for your ornamental garden.
- Always wash your hands. This may seem obvious, and yes, I did tell you to also wear gloves. Nevertheless, after dealing with pet waste always wash your hands.
Final Thoughts
Bokashi composting is a great way to dispose of your pet’s waste in an eco-friendly and cost-effective manner. Not to mention it helps reduce the number of poop bags you use. Additionally, by using bokashi to compost your pet’s waste you reap the reward of the nutrient-rich fertiliser it produces for your ornamental garden.
While there are some potential issues and health concerns to be aware of, bokashi composting is generally considered safe when done correctly. By following our easy step-by-step guide and using caution when applying the fertiliser in your garden, you can enjoy the benefits of bokashi composting your pet’s waste and reducing their carbon pawprint.
If you want to know more about other eco-friendly ways to dispose of pet waste at home, check our guide to the 5 Best at Home Systems.
Happy composting friends!