Case Studies

Toward a recycling-oriented society with a community-based biomass center

Okinawa, Japan

Overview

In 2013, Kitanakagusuku village in Okinawa Japan established the "Kitanakagusuku Village Biomass Recycling Center" for reducing plant residue. In July 2020, Kitanakagusuku village appointed EMRO as the designated manager. In order to convert plant residue into resources, they are composted, carbonized using EM technology. In addition, Kitanakagusuku village has contributed with Activated EM・1 to the local inhabitants via the municipality for over 10 years ago.

The workflow

The manpower is usually 2 people. There are two methods of collecting plant residue. The staff visit requested homes to collect plant residue once a week or those who wish to dispose of it can bring it in person.

After collecting plant residue from requested houses

These are rough-sorted by the size of branches and leaves.

Plant residue is processed by type

・Wood chips

Branches less than 10cm in diameter are crushed by a wood chipper

・Composted bark (Fermentation period: 3-4 months)

1. Wood chips, rice bran and chicken manure are mixed

2. EM fermented Awamori waste liquid is added and stirred in

3. Fermentation in composted bark (After stirring, the temperature increases up to 60-70℃)

4. After the temperature decreases, it is stirred more

6. The composted bark is packed in 20L bags

・Humification process of weeds and fallen leaves (Fermentation period: approximately 3-4 months)

Weeds and Leaves that are difficultly crushed by machine are applied Activated EM・1 and rice bran directly as pictured below for reduction to the farm.

・EM charcoal
Logs and Branches over 10cm in diameter are cut by wood splitting machine or chainsaw, then made into EM charcoal with smokeless carbonizers.

Carbonization of pruned branches using smokeless carbonizers that shut off oxygen and burn them

Case studies of wood chips

Wood chips are used in various types of agriculture as an eco-friendly mulch.

Benefit of using wood chips
・Weed control and cost reduction
・Prevention of mud spatter as a cause of agricultural diseases
・Retaining Soil Moisture
・After cultivation, you can mix it with soil and it will enrich soils year after year

Case studies of composted bark

This is also used in various types of agriculture for making rich soil and creating good drainage, also as plant nutrients.

This is applied at Kitanakagusuku village primary school in flower pots and vegetable gardens.

Cherry trees in the village maintained by the local municipality

The garden of EM International Technical Center, located at Meio University in the Northern part of Okinawa

Free distribution of Activated EM・1

For more than 10 years, Activated EM・1 has been distributed to local residents via the municipality to contribute to their livelihood and promote environmental protection. The manufacturing and supply base has been managed at the biomass center since April 2022.

The motto is “virtuous cycles”

The goal is the revival of agriculture and the reduction of plant residues, aiming to convert them into high-quality resources with EM technology. What was once a waste product is now a valuable agricultural input.