Global research has shown that almost 50% of all food grown, processed and prepared ends up in the landfill instead of a stomach. If it were possible to eliminate this food waste, scientists claim that there would be enough food to feed the hungry around the world, even accounting for future population growth.

Education is the key to stopping food waste. Teaching children about the right way to recycle organic waste is very important if future generations are to make progress on this issue. Enviropower – Bokashi is an Australian company tackling this challenge by providing sustainable organic waste management tools and services to local schools. The Bokashi system ferments kitchen waste using effective microorganisms. Fermentation prevents the waste from rotting and putrefying. Because there is no putrefaction, there are no foul odors or insects. This system can be easily used in an indoor environment, making it a simple and pleasant task for schools to recycle their food waste. Through the Bokashi and vermicomposting programs, the company shows teachers and students how to assess the amount of organic waste generated, and provides a fully operational and robustly constructed worm farm designed for school organic waste recycling. Through these programs, schools are taught to transform organic waste into a natural resource, students become the “recyclers” who look at organic waste as a potential resource rather than something to be thrown away and forgotten. The programs also help schools create their own vegetable gardens and use the organic recycling byproducts to promote healthy growth in plants for use in the school cafeteria. Watch this video to learn more about the Bokashi system!