Keen recyclers attend Mudbrick's bokashui

Gill Alcock
© Market Place - 27th February Edition

A large turnout to an organic food growing and food recycling seminar at Mudbrick Vineyard showed some real commitment from islanders to go green.

The two sessions last Wednesday, 19 March – one in the morning for businesses, and one in the afternoon for individuals – attracted around 110 people keen to learn about how to recycle and compost food waste.

Speakers - Chairman of Crop Science at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka Dr. Ravi Sangakarra (pictured), manager of the New Zealand Nature Farming Society Mike Daly and manufacturer of Bokashi Products Neville Burt - talked to a packed room at the busy restaurant and answered questions from the floor.

The morning seminar was aimed at businesses and many of the island’s vineyards and restaurants were represented. Owners and staff members from Te Whau, Goldwater, Passage Rock, Cable Bay, Ridgeview, Te Motu, Christensen and Miro vineyards, along with staff from other business and organisations such as the retirement village, Waiheke High School and the Look Out restaurant, heard from the speakers and watched the practical recycling solutions from Mudbrick vineyard restaurant. Mudbrick diverts approximately three tonnes of food waste a month through the bokashi composting method.

The afternoon session was for interested individuals and keen gardeners. They learnt about the simple, effective, recycling systems that compost all food waste including meat, fish and dairy, using the Bokashi system.

Bokashi consists of mixed cultures of beneficial and natural occurring micro-organisms and is a global technology used in more than 140 countries.

“It was a really good day, with great attendance,” said organiser Glenda Andrew-Neal from the Waste Resource Trust. “I couldn’t be happier, and I’ve had a lot of positive feedback.”

For more information about the Bokashi system phone Glenda on 372 2915 or email glenda@wrt.org.nz.