Reconnecting the Loops: From Waste to Soil to Resilience
The conversation around food, soil, and waste is evolving — but not quickly enough. A recent report by Jane Gilbert, The Soil-Food-Biowaste Policy Disconnect in England, has cast a much-needed spotlight on the structural gaps in how we approach these deeply interconnected systems.
At Agriton, this struck a chord. Because for decades, we've advocated for a more holistic, nature-based, microbially rich approach to land and waste management. We believe soil isn’t just a medium — it’s a living ecosystem. And waste isn’t just something to be disposed of — it’s a resource waiting to be returned to that ecosystem.
What’s the Disconnect?
Gilbert’s report highlights a policy blind spot: while soil health, food production, and waste management all receive individual attention from government departments, there’s little integration between them. Policies support anaerobic digestion (AD) for energy recovery, but do little to encourage composting — even though compost is one of the most effective tools we have to restore soil health.
As a result, England’s waste policy has unintentionally created a linear system: food > waste > energy. The soil is largely left out of the loop.
This is more than a missed opportunity — it’s a growing risk. With UK soils eroding, organic matter declining, and food security increasingly under threat from climate and biodiversity crises, it’s time to revisit the fundamentals.
Enter Bokashi: Small Loops, Big Potential
One of the simplest and most scalable ways to restore this balance is through Bokashi.
At Agriton, we’ve long championed Bokashi as a practical, efficient, and microbial-rich way to recycle organic waste — even meat and dairy — without odours, pests, or emissions. By fermenting food waste in anaerobic conditions, Bokashi retains nutrients and beneficial microbes that can later be returned to soil as a pre-composted amendment.
Unlike traditional composting, Bokashi is fast, compact, and accessible. It’s ideal for:
Households looking to reduce their carbon footprint
Schools and community gardens aiming for local food loops
Farmers integrating microbial soil health into their systems
Businesses seeking closed-loop food waste solutions
And it complements — rather than replaces — larger-scale composting. In fact, Bokashi pre-treatment can accelerate and enrich traditional composting processes.
Toward Policy Coherence and Soil Resilience
Jane Gilbert’s call for natural capital accounting and an update to the Sustainable Farming Incentive is spot on. Composting — including small-scale systems like Bokashi — should be recognised not only for waste diversion, but for its role in soil regeneration, carbon sequestration, and food system resilience.
At Agriton, we’re ready. We’ve seen what’s possible when soil life is nurtured, when microbial diversity is supported, and when circularity is restored.
But policy isn’t the only lever. Culture matters too.
That’s why we’re sharing our response to Gilbert’s report in a LinkedIn article:
👉 Read: Reconnecting the Loops — From Waste to Soil to Resilience
We hope it adds to the momentum building around more integrated, systems-based thinking — and inspires a few more people to start composting at home, school, or work.
Let’s not wait for change — let’s ferment it. 🌱
Interested in learning more about Bokashi or how your community or farm can start a closed-loop system?
