Fermentation Explained
What is Fermentation, and why is it so much better than composting?
Fermentation is a process of treating organic waste, which uses anaerobic microbes [assisted with Terra Biosa], rather than aerobic microbes. It is similar to the process of pickling – a pickled onion for example still looks like an onion, although inside it has changed completely.
The advantages of this process are many, including reduced greenhouse gas emission, a more nutritious end product, and far easier management.
A comparison of the two processes is as follows:
|
Composting |
Fermenting |
|
Can produce foul odours |
Sweet-smelling, or odourless |
|
Can attract rodents |
No rodents |
|
Can attract flies and other insects |
Does not attract any insects, including flies |
|
Produces heat |
Produces no heat, all energy retained |
|
Requires mechanical and labour input |
Done in-vessel and requires no turning |
|
Produces significant greenhouse gases |
Produces minimal greenhouse gases |
|
Takes up to 6 months to produce |
Takes about 4 weeks to produce |
|
Is unstable and reactive until complete |
Is stable and storable immediately |
|
Low nutrient value of end-product |
High nutrient value of end-product |
|
Produces leachate |
No leachate, all nutrients retained |
|
Only certain products can be composted |
ANY organic material can be fermented |
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