Before choosing which system you will buy, consider which will suit your home and the materials that you have to compost.
Compost bins suit homes that have larger backyards with a mix of food waste and garden clippings that can be mixed with dry materials such as fallen (deciduous) leaves, scrunched newspaper or other carbon-rich materials. The compost bin will produce a soil conditioner that is highly beneficial to improve soil structure in the vegetable garden. For more information on composting, see the Beginners Guide to Composting
Worm Farms suit homes that have food waste but do not have easy access to dry materials. The worm farm will need to be kept in a sheltered, cool location. Worms require consistent feeding and care to ensure the composting worms are healthy. Worm Farms create a high-nitrogen fertiliser (in solid and liquid form) that can be added to the vegetable garden in smaller amounts. For more information on worm farming, see the Beginners Guide to Worm Farming
Bokashi Bins are food waste fermenting units that can be kept in a cupboard or under a bench. They are airtight and therefore should not smell. They reduce food waste to a very small amount, with regular addition of a bran-like product that enhances the fermentation process. Once the fermentation process has reduced the volume of food waste considerably, the waste product can be buried in a garden bed or added to a friend's compost bin. The unit also produces a small amount of liquid fertiliser that can be diluted and used on potted or garden plants. For more information on the use of Bokashi Bins, go to https://www.bokashi.com.au/