Bokashi (Composter Alternative) Low Down

Belinda has been using the Bokashi system for years so we asked her to give us the low down as we now stock Bokashi buckets, Bokashi bran (loose), Ensopet systems and Ensopet bran (loose) on our zero waste store online.

SUMMARY

Bokashi may be called a “composting system” but it doesn’t actually work like a compost heap. Bran or liquid infused with microbes are added to the organic matter. They then work in an anaerobic environment to ferment the material. This means it does not break down in the bucket. But it will discolour and soften and take on a pickled smell. As well the liquid drained off can be diluted. It can used as soil conditioner. 

For this reason the fermented material is buried in the garden where it continues to rapidly break down into the soil. Any type of organic matter can be added to a bokashi bucket (chop up large items before adding them in). This includes many things that can’t be added to regular compost. For example, citrus, onions, meat, fish, bones, eggs and cheese. In addition, you can even add the dust from sweeping and vacuuming and hair.

The material in the bucket should grow white mold and take on a pickled smell, which is not necessarily pleasant but shouldn’t be offensive. Additionally, if the bucket smells rotten or blue/green mold is growing, bury the contents, rinse the bucket out and start again. Importantly, the bucket should only be rinsed out with plain water, as cleaning products can disturb the microbial environment developing inside the bucket.

It’s ideal to have a two bucket system purchased via our zero waste store online. So when one bucket is full, you can leave it to ferment for about 2 weeks before burying it in the garden, meanwhile you can fill up the other bucket.

DIRECTIONS

Directions –
1. Make sure the drainage tap is closed and the drain grille is in place to start with.
2. Add any organic matter to the bin – you can add citrus, onions, meat, fish, eggs, cheese, dust from sweeping or vacuuming – anything that was once alive. It’s best to chop up large pieces. Large bones won’t break down properly at all. Make sure the lid is sealed tightly after adding material – bokashi microbes work in an anaerobic environment.
3. Once an inch or two of matter is in the bucket, squish it down with the tool and add a thin layer of bokashi bran.
4. Continue layering organic matter and bokashi bran until the bucket is full. Drain the bucket every few days – this liquid can be diluted with water and used as plant food, or just poured down the sink.
5. Once the bucket is full it will need to sit for about two weeks. Having a system of two buckets – so you can fill one while the other “cooks” is a good idea.
6. Bury the contents in a hole in the garden. You will notice that things in the bucket are still recognisable, but they may have gone soft or discoloured – this is because bokashi works by fermenting the material instead of rotting it. The material will continue to quickly break down in the soil.
7. Rinse the bucket with plain water and start again.

Keen to try something similar with your pet waste? Check out the Ensopet system

 


Wasteless Pantry Bassendean News: 20 August 2019

DIY Hair Gel     

I’ve been recommended this recipe separately by two different staff members, so it must be good! It is especially good for curly hair and leaves the hair soft, smooth and smelling lovely.
Mix together 1/4 cup linseed (flaxseed) with 2 cups water. Heat in a pot until it comes to the boil (keep stirring to prevent the seeds sticking to the bottom). Turn the heat down once it starts to froth and let it continue to simmer until you reach the desired gel thickness (you don’t want it too runny or too thick). Once ready put a sieve or stocking over a container to strain out the seeds from the gel (the seeds are still good to use in your cooking or sprinkled on cereal!). Store the gel in the fridge as is, or you can add any of the following for added shine, body and fragrance: 1 tsp vitamin E oil, few drops of lavender, rosemary, tea tree essential oils (or your favourite fragrance), glycerin, macadamia oil. It can also be thinned out with water and put into an atomiser bottle for easy spritzing.
Recipe adapted from: https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/ingredients/the-best-diy-flax-seed-hair-gel-recipe-ever

  Product News

  • We have found a new supplier of local WA Wildflower honey to tide us over until our regular supplier gets his bees back to work! We still also have the red gum honey as per usual.
  • We have added a number of new beauty products and ingredients to our existing stocks – rosehip oil, lemon essential oil, rosewater, magnesium salt flakes, avocado oil, aloe vera gel, stainless steel razors & shaving brushes, liquid deodorant plus atomiser bottles and roll-on bottles if you need something to help apply it.
  • Along with our Agreena silicone wraps and beeswax wraps, we have added fabric and silicone food wraps to help with your transition away from cling wrap.
  • Other new products in store now: hibiscus tea, stevia powder, rice wine vinegar, cinnamon sugar, 98% fat free tropical muesli.

Father’s Day
We have you covered for Father’s Day ideas, with gift vouchers, shaving kits, lollies and snacks, Dude Rock soaps, water bottles and insulated coffee mugs, and a range of teas and coffees.

In Store Recycling Changes 
Please be aware that we are no longer collecting beauty product packaging for recycling as Terracycle no longer collects these items. We are still accepting donations of the following, but please make sure to separate them before dropping off – putting them all into a single bin here in store just contaminates the recycling stream.

  • Batteries
  • Plastic bottle tops (e.g. milk bottle tops)
  • Aluminium ring pulls
  • Oral care products
  • Printer cartridges
Donated Jars
Thank you to everyone that has been donating clean, label free jars for others to reuse in store.  We are thrilled to see fewer jars with labels being donated as it is very time consuming for us to be removing them in store.  It takes us away from being able to keep goods as refilled as we would like and being able to spend more time making your time with us as enjoyable as possible.  So thank you!!

Know someone who’d like to be kept up to date with what’s happening in-store? Anyone can sign up to the newsletter here or like our Facebook page to be kept up-to-date with the latest news.


Wasteless Pantry Mundaring News: 11 August 2019

You are part of something big!

Did you know that 230 MILLION people participated in Plastic Free July this year?! Whether you made small changes or dramatic lifestyle shifts to reduce waste this month, know that everything you are doing is making a difference. The waste issues are still there, but every time you role model doing things a little bit better, you are helping to shift ‘normal’ toward better practices that help the planet and everything that is living on it. Jeannie & I now get to focus back in on the stores after being out in the community heavily spreading the waste free message, and it’s great to see old and new faces in the store. We love seeing the wide variety of containers being used over and over, especially because they are just ordinary containers. Macoona jars, jam jars, random plastic tubs, all sorts of ordinary things that everyone has available to them. Please know that you and your containers don’t need to be Instagram-able to shop with us and to make a difference. Ordinary is okay. Ordinary is great! Ordinary is what makes the world a better place. Pretty is nice, but totally unnessarily to improve things right now, today, in this moment. So bring out your ordinary and be your ordinary self. You’re in good company and we appreciate everything you are doing!

What’s been happening at the store:

* The liquid deodorant is finally in store! So if you want to go refillable on your deodorant we have scoopable paste deodorant, as well as liquid for spray or roll on application.  (We have the containers too if you need them) 

* We are gearing up for Father’s Day on Sunday 1st of September.  We have new gift vouchers available and the new shaving kits are proving very popular.  We are very excited to report that our supplier is now offering the shavers and shaving brushes without plastic in their packaging!!
* It seems that coffee is sustaining everyone on these cold days.  Just remember that we have lots of teas and drinking chocolate available too so you don’t end up with an eye twitch 

* We have recipes for dahl and soups on the wall ready for your winter cook ups.  We’re stocked up with lentils, dahl, split peas, beans, coconut milk powder, stock powders, herbs and spices for making curries, stews, roasts, dahl and soups galore.
* Thank you to everyone that has been donating clean, label free jars.  We are thrilled to see fewer jars with labels being donated as it is very time consuming for us to be removing them in store.  It takes us away from being able to keep goods as refilled as we would like and being able to spend more time making your time with us as enjoyable as possible.  So thank you!!
* You might notice that we have the Boomerang Bags box back at the front of the store.  We have plenty of fabric to keep us going for a while yet, but if you have any bags to return, please just pop them straight in the box when you are next in the area.

Waste Less, Live More

Amanda & Jeannie

Winter Warmers without Waste

It’s not as cold as it should be but I’m still feeling the winter chill!

There is nothing like the comfort of a hot beverage to sooth the soul on wintery days.  At Wasteless Pantry we have quite a range of goodies for making:

  • Hot Chocolate
  • Loose Leaf Black Teas
  • Herbal Teas
  • Coffee Beans
  • Turmeric Latte 
  • Chai Latte
  • Beetroot Chocolate Latte (just add beetroot powder with cacao powder and your sweetener of choice to milk)

We have a range of tea and coffee making accessories if you need them too!

Did you know that you can make bath teas using our herbs and teas in one of our strainers or soap nut bags to add a bit of aromatherapy to your soak.  If you add a small amount of bicarb soda and epsom salts (which we also have available) to your bath it will soften skin and relieve tension in muscles.

 

Warming foods can be comforting and healthy too!

How about trying out porridge made with oats, muesli (for added flavour), buckwheat, millet or quinoa?  Top with our honey, maple syrup, golden syrup, dried fruit or sugars if you like something sweeter.

Or dahl, casseroles, stews, curries and soups made with our wide range of beans, lentils, split peas, powdered stocks (vegan friendly), herbs and spices?

Although, not everything has to be super healthy – maybe you’d like our custard powder and warmed brownie mix for a bit of an easy treat.  The beauty of going package free is that you could just buy enough for to make one mug of custard or a mug chocolate cake if you wanted.  You could, it is possible.

We have a bunch of recipes at the store to guide you and of course, you can buy just enough for the recipe to try it out waste free!

In case you want any of these recipes to go, we have insulated food flasks, travel coffee mugs and insulated beverage bottles that will keep your goodies warm for hours.

I tend to get into baking more in the cooler weather, the oven acting as a heater for the kitchen is an added bonus.  If you do too, you might want to consider reusable silicone baking sheets or muffin cups to reduce the need for baking paper or pattie pans.  We have them available for you to check out at our stores too.

There are lots of ways to keep warm on cool days without creating waste with Wasteless Pantry!


Low Waste Gifts for Dad’s

Father’s Day is nearly upon us (it’s on the first Sunday in September) and you might be thinking to yourself, “What should I get Dad this year?”

You want to get him something that is thoughtful, environmentally friendly (the search terms green gifts, eco gifts, zero waste gifts, gifts for waste-free Dad come to mind), and something that he might actually use.

We are here for you at Wasteless Pantry!

Firstly, let us remind you that Dad probably just wants to know that you love and appreciate him, which requires very little to express. Maybe you could cook him a meal, go out with him on an adventure, or just head out for a drink together? None of these things is hard to do but might mean the world to your Dad.

Secondly, if you feel weird rocking up empty-handed and you really want to give a gift, maybe consider something consumable like Dad’s favourite snacks or coffee (brought in a reusable container at Wasteless Pantry of course). Or you could find something secondhand that has sentimental value, like that book you used to read together as a kid or a beer mug from his favourite tavern when he was growing up. Or you could make something out of reused materials, like all those pallet frames and furniture that pop on Pinterest every year and show off all the carpentry skills he spent hours teaching you.

And if that’s just not going to work for you then we are happy to help you out with a few other ideas too:

If it’s just too hard to pick, then don’t! We have gift vouchers too so your Dad can choose for himself (and we can email them if you prefer too).

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s out there!

Top picture credit: Photo by Szilvia Basso on Unsplash


Wasteless Pantry Bassendean News: 20 June 2019

This is our most exciting time of year! Our flagship store in Mundaring just had its 4th birthday and Plastic Free July is only 2 weeks away! There are plenty of resources and tools on the PFJ website to help you figure out where to start, what to do and how to do it. We strongly recommend that you actually register for the challenge – for extra support and also to help PFJ know just how much of a following there is out there.
https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

Product News

  • We have started stocking nordic seed crackers. These delicious morsels are locally made and gluten free, and we can’t get enough of them!
  • We have ordered a range of new reusable items to help you with your Plastic Free July pledge, including: insulated tumblers and coffee mugs, silicone drinking straws, silicone and fabric food covers. They should all be in store soon.
  • We have found a WA grown loofah supply and will have them available shortly.
  • Stainless steel razors and wooden handled shaving brushes are on their way!
  • We currently have 20% off a number of products (while stocks last) including Kombucha Drinks Making Sets, Cold Brew Sets, Matcha Whisk Sets, Food on the Go 1L Jars and Snack of the Go 500ml Jars.

Brownie in a Mug  

 
For a quick and easy way to warm up on a cold evening, mix 3 tbsp brownie mix with 1.5 tbsp water in a mug and microwave on high for 50sec.
Why not mix up some custard powder and pour it over for pure decadence in just minutes!
All ingredients are available in store.

Free Talks:
Get Ready for Plastic Free July 

25th June @ 11am – 12pm
Hawaiian’s Bassendean Shopping Centre, 2 West Road, Bassendean

Come along to an interactive workshop on reducing your household waste by discovering better ways to shop and easy swaps to eliminate single-use plastics every day.
Learn about Plastic Free July and why it has become so important worldwide plus what you can do to make a difference!
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/get-ready-for-plastic-free-july-tickets-61775892357

Creating a Wasteless Home
25th July @ 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Trinity North Uniting Church, 85-89 Marlock Dve, Greenwood

Come along to an interactive workshop on reducing your household waste by discovering better ways to shop and easy swaps to eliminate single-use plastics every day.
We’ll cover a range of options for reducing waste in your: kitchen, bathroom, laundry and more
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/creating-a-wasteless-home-tickets-63546230486

Know someone who’d like to be kept up to date with what’s happening in-store? Like our Facebook page to be kept up-to-date with the latest news.


Wasteless Pantry Bassendean: 14 May 2019

  New Products!

  • We love stocking Australian products and we have just increased our range with Australian pepitas (pumkin seeds) which are high in zinc and magnesium, and premium walnuts from Manjimup.
  • White wine vinegar and golden syrup have been added to our liquids range.
  • We are now stocking the Agreena silicone wraps which are a great cling wrap alternative. They were so popular that we sold out immediately, but more are on their way!
  • Oil misters are finally in stock. Fill with your favourite oil and spritz onto your salad or baking trays.

Are you looking to join an enthusiastic team of waste-free living advocates? We currently have a casual position available for someone to join our team and would love to hear from you. If you are interested, please send through your resume to bassendean@wastelesspantry.com.au by May 21st.
 


Wasteless Winter

We’ve got everything to keep you warm and healthy this winter:

  • Handkerchiefs
  • Golden syrup, honey, brown sugar and dried fruit to go with your porridge oats. Or use our fruity muesli in place of those flavoured porridge sachets
  • Insulated food and beverage flasks for taking your hot food and drinks out and about.
  • Luscious moisturiser and body lotion to keep your skin supple
  • Beans and lentils for warming soups and stews
  • Black and herbal teas and coffees
  • Free recipe cards for everything from soups to body butter to help you out in the kitchen at home

   Free Talk: Get Ready for Plastic Free July 
25th June @ 11am – 12pm
Hawaiian’s Bassendean Shopping Centre, 2 West Road, Bassendean

Come along to an interactive workshop on reducing your household waste by discovering better ways to shop and easy swaps to eliminate single-use plastics every day.
Learn about Plastic Free July and why it has become so important worldwide plus what you can do to make a difference!
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/get-ready-for-plastic-free-july-tickets-61775892357


Let us Shop for You          Did you know that we can do your shopping for you? Just drop off your containers or a shopping list and we can get all your goodies together while you’re at other shops or taking a relaxing break with a coffee.


Know someone who’d like to be kept up to date with what’s happening in-store? Anyone can sign up to the newsletter here or like our Facebook page to be kept up-to-date with the latest news.


Wasteless Pantry Mundaring News: 10 May 2019

Let your Mum know you love her this Mother’s Day (hint, hint kiddies) 🙂

What’s been happening:

  • The Agreena Silicone Baking/Wraps have arrived and seem very popular so we’ve had to order more!
  • Terracycle created an updated poster about what we can and can’t collect in the beauty product recycling – please check it out next time you are in store.
  • Jeannie & I are almost fully booked for Plastic Free July related talks so will be out and about in the community throughout May, June & July – pop along and say “Hi”.
  • We started stocking WA grown walnuts – woot woot!
  • Did you know that our golden syrup goes beautifully with porridge? And that our muesli can be cooked up as an easy and cheaper flavoured porridge instead of those little packet ones? 
  • Food flasks are back in stock ready for warm lunches away from home.  They come in 400ml and 600ml sizes, are made with stainless steel and keep either food or beverages warm throughout the day.
  • We have plenty of handkerchiefs ready for cold & flu season too.  At home, we store them in a tin in the family room, that way they are always on hand.  Use them once and throw them in the wash or over and over depending on your preferences.  Whether you use a hanky or a tissue, remember to wash your hands after blowing your nose to limit the spread of germs.
  • It’s Honey Month!!  Celebrate by grabbing some of our locally sourced zero waste honey in your own container – no sugar syrup in these beauties and our beekeepers don’t feed their bees sugar either. Healthy bees are important!
  • As the cooler weather starts drying out skin, remember that we have our thick luscious moisturiser as well as our versatile body lotion available to keep your skin feeling its best.

Waste Less, Live More

Amanda & Jeannie


Hearty Winter Vegetable Soup

Will the weather cooling down, it is time for foods that nourish and keep us warm. This soup is quick, healthy and can be tailored to your own preferences very easily!

From Wasteless Pantry:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried garlic granules or flakes
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 4 teaspoon chicken stock powder
  • 1/2 cup couscous or elbow pasta
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes

From your local grocer:

  • 2 medium brown onions, chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 3 medium potatoes, chopped
  • 2 large parsnips or a handful of green beans, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, chopped

  1. Heat oil in a large saucepan; cook onion, celery, garlic & paprika until onion softens.
  2. Add other chopped vegetables, stock and 1.5L water; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer covered for 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  3. Stir in couscous and parsley; cook, uncovered 2 minutes or until couscous is tender. *If using elbow pasta instead of couscous then pop in after simmering vegetables for 5-10 minutes as they take longer to cook than the couscous.

This should serve 4 depending on appetites and you can always add more chicken stock & water if you like more liquid in your soup.

Feel free to substitute whatever hard type vegetables you have in the crisper that need using such as broccoli stalks, cauliflower or cooked beans (navy, kidney, lima, chickpea, etc). Also, this is a great opportunity to use up any stale bread you have for dunking in the soup.

Remember to portion out any leftovers, if you have them, and pop in the freezer for ready to go meals in the future!

Happy eating!

Recipe adapted from: The Australian Women’s Weekly Fast Soup book


How much do you love your Mum?

Mothers Day from a Zero Waste Perspective

Around this time of year, you’ll probably be getting numerous marketing messages that if you buy your Mum (or Mum-like equivalent person) the right kind of gift she will know just how much you love her.

If you get her the gift pack, the nicest flowers, the corny trinket or biggest box of chocolates then surely she will know that you love her heaps! And likewise, if you don’t then you mustn’t love her at all.

As a Mum, I have to say, this is absolutely correct so buy up big at Wasteless Pantry!!!!

Nah, just kidding 🙂

Your Mum, most likely, does not care what you get her or if you get her anything at all.

Most Mum’s just want to know that you care and you think about her.  She would love to spend the day with you enjoying each others company like when you were a kid and she was your whole world.

Remember that drawing you did for her when you were 5 that she made a fuss over or that disaster of a cake you baked that she smiled all the way through eating, or that time you offered her burnt toast, lukewarm coffee and an underboiled egg in bed.  She loved it all because it was from the heart and it was from you.

You could spend your money on your Mum with things that don’t create waste like:

  • Handcrafted tea blends (I love ginger & lemongrass with coconut sugar at the moment)
  • A cake you baked yourself (we have a brownie mix that you just mix with water if your baking skills haven’t improved much since you were a child)
  • Coffee beans and a plunger or a nice mug (mug sets always get chipped so you could pick up a one of a kind from the op shop)
  • Anything chocolate (you could try your hand at custom-made chocolate bars if you are keen)
  • Reusable face wipes, shampoo bars, moisturiser in a nice jar you saved and refilled or nice smelling soaps

But really, just focus on giving her your time.

We love being Mums and we love our Mums xx