Bokashi vs. Worm Composting Analysis

With options from traditional compost piles to yogurt culture, Bokashi or worms, it may be a bit mysterious which method is best for your home environment.

In this analysis, we look at two specific methods - Bokashi (fermenting) vs. red worm composting and the application here in Hawai'i.
This is meant as a high level comparison and further details will be covered in future posts. Those completely new to the two methods can follow the links and plenty of videos are available online.

Today, we cover the following:

• Setup costs - Worm bins can be constructed out of almost anything and cost savings can be applied
• Recurring costs - Depending how often the bokashi is needed, recurring costs apply
• Application (pros and cons) - Practically, worms are cheaper but do not provide fertilizer as quickly as Bokashi can

Setup Costs


Bokashi
Starter kits can be found online between $40 - $60 and is often recommended to purchase two for continuous harvest (one breaks the waste down while the other ferments).
Recurring costs do apply for the EM liquid mix and range from $10 - 30.

Bokashi total upfront cost - $90 (recurring costs apply)

Containers must be air tight for ideal fermentation conditions and is likely that you'll need to purchase this if not considering the starter kit.

Worm Composting
Costs can vary depending on the types of worms used but a 1/4 pound can be as high as $40. Cost savings can be applied as the worm bin can be constructed out of almost anything laying around the house (e.g. cabinet drawer, plastic tote bins, etc.).
No recurring costs apply.

Worm composting upfront costs - $40

Application (Pros & Cons)


Bokashi

Pros

• Six weeks until fertilizer can be harvested
• Can be applied by digging a simple hole in the ground (if not using the container)
• Provides fermented "tea" that can be used as fertilizer
• Yard waste can be mixed in with the kitchen scraps
• In the snowy tops of Mauna Kea, Bokashi can still be used
• Easy harvest

Cons

• Startup costs are higher
• Bins must be airtight - there have been some issues with the plastic bucket's top lid and wear-n-tear. If the bucket is damaged, you'll need to find a way to seal it or purchase a completely new bin.
• Recurring costs for the mix. Depending who they're purchased from, this can be as low as $5 for the size of a typical spaghetti sauce jar (approx 32 oz).

Worm Composting

Pros

• Startup costs lower
• Bins can be constructed out of almost anything - one that I made was taken from a cabinet drawer left on the sidewalk (often the case in Hawai'i)
• Fertilizer is more rich in nutrients
• More readily available throughout the islands
• Provides vermicast "tea" that can be used as fertilizer
• No recurring costs
• Worm community will reproduce based on the feed. This is highly beneficial as the worms can adapt to the household's garbage output. A 1/4 pound of worms is a good starting point and as long as they are generously fed, the community will continue to grow. Worms can eat up to their own weight per day - 1/4 pound of worms eats 1/4 pound of kitchen waste.

Cons

• Takes at least 6 months to harvest (1 year if composting animal feces)
• Yard waste is not ideal matter for the worms and a separate compost method will likely be implemented
• Not ideal for the snowy tops of Mauna Kea (worms may freeze and die)
• Harvesting requires slightly more manual labor - during harvest, its ideal to salvage as many worms as possible so several hours may be required to sift through the vermicast

Here in Oahu, schools have implemented worm bin composting programs and is generally highly engaging for all demographics.
Personally, I enjoy harvesting vermicast, seeing all the mold or beetle mites, baby worms, trying to identify broken down garbage, etc. It feels like a primitive experience, using bare hands to sift through nutrient rich soil that was created through the interaction with the worms.

If the home application requires fertilizer more frequently, perhaps for larger yards, Bokashi would be ideal. In a single year, Bokashi can be harvested approximately 6 times (two times for worm bins); contrasted with the recurring costs.

What it "breaks down to" at the end of the day is this analogy - if you want "fast food" go with Bokashi, if you want "slow food" go with worms composting.

In the future we'll take a closer look at items such as how much Bokashi is required, ingredients involved, why vermicast is known to be more nutrient rich and more details on product availability on the Hawai'i islands.