FAQ

Questions	Solution
What goes into my Eco Bin Composter	You can compost most kitchen food waste including fresh fruit and vegetables, prepared foods, cooked and uncooked meats and fish, cheese, eggs, bread, coffee grinds, teabags, wilted flowers and tissues.
What can’t I put in the Eco Bin Composter?	Do not put liquids (water, milk or fruit juice), paper and plastic wrap, or meat bones into the Eco Bin Composter.
What are the signs of success	The Eco Bin Composter is easy to use and it is highly unlikely that you will strike problems. A good sign (which may or may not be present, don't worry if not) which you may notice when the lid is removed is: Smell: A subtle smell of pickles or cider vinegar. Visual: Occasionally, particularly for longer fermentation periods, a white cotton-like fungi growth may appear on the surface. This is also a sign that the process is working well. What next?: Continue with what you are doing:-)
What are the signs indicating all is not well	Smell: A strong rancid or rotten smell indicates the process has failed. Visual: The presence of maggots or black or blue-green fungi indicates that contamination has occurred and the process has not fermented but putrefied. What next?: You can try any of the following: Start adding enough Magic Microbes Mix Ensure to replace the bin lid tightly after each use Ensure to drain the Bokashi juice frequently from the bin Avoid prolonged and direct exposure to sunlight and extreme temperatures
Eeks! Why maggots in my bin?	Maggots are fly larvae and are lured by: Garbage Leftover food Animal dung Manure Moist rotting material
How do I fix my maggots issue?	Do nothing:-). Lets burst some myths about maggots. Do take some time off to read the document “All about Maggots-Bursting myths” at myecobin.in.
What can I use the Bokashi Juice for?	Bokashi Juice can be used: In the Garden -To fertilize an existing garden or pot plants use 1 teaspoon to 2-3 liters of water and apply directly to the soil. For trees and shrubs use 2 teaspoons to 2-3 liters of water. You can also do a foliar spray. Around the House - Pour the concentrated Bokashi Juice directly into your kitchen and bathroom drains, toilets or septic systems. The micro-organisms will help to prevent algae build-up and control odor. It will also help to clean up our waterways by competing with harmful bacteria. Bokashi Juice must be used within 24 hours after draining from the Eco Bin.
Help! I have drained the Bokashi juice and now short of time to use it immediately. Can I store it?	Oh yes! Store it in the refrigerator. In case of power cuts, just add jaggery and store it wherever you want.
How do I use Bokashi Compost?	Add your fermented Bokashi Compost and mix in some soil.
Can I use Bokashi in planter boxes?	You can use your Bokashi Compost in planter boxes, tubs or pots by placing it directly into the container for further fermentation. Fill 1/3 of the container with potting mix (new or used) then add the Bokashi Compost and mix with soil. Fill the remaining 1/3 of the container with potting mix and cover with a plastic bag to maintain anaerobic conditions. Wait two weeks before planting you favourite veggies or flowers, or transfer potting mix into smaller pots for planting.
Bokashi has a strong smell	Add more Magic microbes. Ensure bucket is closed tightly after each use. Drain leachate more frequently. Keep bucket away from prolonged exposure to sunlight or extreme temperatures.
Bokashi has black or blue-green fungus	Same as above
No bokashi juice (leachate)	Moist foods produce more juice. Leachate is not essential.
Bokashi juice (leachate) is a different or odd color	The amount and color of the leachate depends on the type of foods fermented and can vary.
How should I store my Magic Mircobes	The best way to preserve the shelf life of dry Magic Mircobes is to keep it dry and to store it anaerobically out of direct sunlight and away from extreme heat. Stored this way, the Magic Mircobes should remain viable for up to one year.
Why can your compost in Eco Bin Composter smell bad?	If something has gone wrong in your Eco Bin Composter, there will be a bad smell and / or black fungi growing. White fungi are good and indicate that your fermented food waste is ready to be buried. Reasons for your Eco Bin Composter to go bad could be: Not closing the lid tightly Not using an airtight container Not draining the Bokashi liquid often enough Exposure to the sun or extreme temperatures Not using enough Magic Microbes (a third cup at least per layer of food waste)
What do I do if my animal or child has eaten some Magic Mircobes?	Absolutely nothing! Magic Mircobes is made with probiotics that is brewed with food grade mother culture EM. Humans probably will not like the taste but animals will. The microbes in Magic Mircobes are very common in nature and are not pathogenic. The probiotics are found in cheese, yogurt, breads and wines.
I’ve tried all the home remedies to get rid of ants in my vegetable garden with little success. Do you have any suggestions?	I also tried all the natural, home remedies from garlic and pepper spray to curry powder. No success. I then took a bag of Bokashi and sprinkled it down the ant holes. They really don’t like the Bokashi and left my vegetable garden. In fact, whatever was eating my spinach also left.:-)
My Eco Bin tap is leaking!	Four reasons for leak: Broken or cracked parts Parts too tight, washers bulge outside rim Loose back assembly (tap, nut and 2 washers (various causes) Loose main aperture or assembly (that is, unscrewing too much when there is no apparent juice) After removing the compost, the tap can be removed and reassembled, but you need to: Dismount the tap from the bin. Take the dial face off the tap, and then unscrew the dial from the main assembly. Thoroughly clean all parts. Reassemble the main assembly. Attach back to the bin.
Can I use Magic Microbes mix in any of my existing composter?	Oh yes! Please go ahead and use it.
It didn’t turn into compost in the Eco Bin	This is the most common misconception about this system, that the compost is created in the Eco Bin. The process is begun in the bin, but what you see is more of a pickling of the contents. You may also see some white fungus on the surface. Thats good. The final composting process occurs once you have: Buried the contents into the ground. or Mixed the pre-compost with existing compost and set aside.
I have exhausted my Magic Microbes Bokashi mix. How do I order?	You can order for a refill pack from http://www.myecobin.in