The Bokashi Compost Method is one way to recycle green waste. The EM^® Bokashi Method is very similar to composting, however, there is not as much turning involved and the finished materials do not look like dirt when finished.  The need to monitor heat is also removed because the materials do not produce as much heat during fermentation.  Because there is not much turning, the materials are pickled more than they are decomposed.  Pickling is a process that preserves the nutrients in the materials, leaving more nutrients available for worms, plants and beneficial fungi when applied to the soil.  The lack of turning not only saves a tremendous amount of money for fuel and labor, it also benefits the environment as much less fossil fuels are burned to make the finished material.  This can be applied to a variety of composting including composting manure.

Putting together the materials is done exactly like preparing for composting.  The difference stops there.  Materials are gathered, inoculated, and heaped into piles or windrows.  Water is added to reach 30-40% moisture.  If possible, the piles are covered with plastic tarps.  (This should sound like making silage because it is the exact same process!)  The piles are left for ferment (anaerobic) for at least two weeks.  At this point there should be no foul odors in the pile and there may be signs of white filamentous fungi.  (In some cases we have actually seen mushrooms growing on the tops of the piles.)  After the fermentation stageof the bokashi compost process, the piles are turned once per week for two to four weeks to break down the materials to the desired particle size.  Once the desired size is achieved, the materials can be land applied and/or incorporated.  This material will make a great mulch as well.