When the financial crisis of 2008 severely affected many companies, Skaza – later recognized as the Velenje Gazelle in 2014 – also found itself at a crossroads. Should they continue as before, or dare to look inward and start anew?
"At that time, we invited experts and agencies to help us see ourselves from the outside – to identify what we were good at and where our opportunities lay. We discovered that we were exceptionally strong in the field of recycled plastics and that we could build something greater from it," recalls Tanja Skaza.
A Personal Story That Changed Direction
But the true spark was not just business-related – it was deeply personal. "My son suffered from atopic dermatitis. At home, we focused a lot on healthy living, wanted to grow our own food, and had a big garden. That’s where I realized that composting is not just about waste management, but also about creating a valuable source of nutrients for the soil."
Organko – A Helper and a Gift to the Earth
The first idea was to produce simple bins from recycled plastic, but Tanja felt that this was not enough. "I wanted a product with real added value – for people and for nature. When I saw that you can return bio-waste to the soil and obtain a natural fertilizer rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium, I knew we had something special. Such a product could help every family while also being a gift to the earth."
By the end of 2009, the first Bokashi Organko was born. "It was my baby. I wanted every family to have one," says Tanja.
The beginnings, however, were not easy. At that time, legislation did not yet encourage separate collection of bio-waste. "I remember going from store to store, to municipal companies, and being told that no one needed this. Many believed we were too early. But I believed we were creating something that would help people and benefit nature."
Composting as an Everyday Habit
Changing habits proved to be the greatest challenge. "People needed to realize that they can create natural fertilizer at home to feed their plants. We all generate bio-waste – peels, food scraps. They don’t need to end up in plastic bags. You simply collect them in Organko Daily, empty them into the composter, add the bran, and then the composter does the work," explains Tanja.
The result is a liquid that gardeners love to call “liquid gold”, as it ensures lush plants, abundant crops, and even spotless drains. The solid compost base enriches the soil – some people even produce so much that they share it with their neighbors.
"My greatest strength came from the belief that what we were creating was giving back to nature and to people. That was my inner compass, even when others didn’t understand," she adds.
Skaza Today – A Brand Growing with People and Nature
From the first BO1 composter, Skaza has developed an entire range of products that today serve households around the world. All products are made in Slovenia from recycled materials – proof that sustainability and quality go hand in hand.
Today, the Skaza brand offers a wide variety of sustainable solutions:
- Composters as the heart of the story: Organko Daily for everyday bio-waste collection, Organko Essential for producing compost and liquid fertilizer, Organko 1 and 2, and the Reencle electric composter, which completes the process quietly in just 24 hours. There is also Bokashi Biogen bran and spare parts to ensure long product lifespans.
- Skaza Decking Tiles: durable and effective ground support for any terrain, made from sustainable materials and suitable for a wide range of outdoor surfaces.
- Wellbeing Collection: a range of value-added drinking glasses – designed to redirect thoughts in a positive way and create daily rituals of mindful choice.
- Household containers and accessories: practical, reusable products that replace single-use plastics. Particularly loved by campers, picnic enthusiasts, and those who enjoy meals on the go – whether at home, in the office, or in the mountains.
This diversity shows that Skaza boldly continues to grow its own brand, expanding with solutions for people, while its core business remains strong partnerships with global multinationals in the electronics and furniture industries. There, Skaza acts as a one-stop shop, fulfilling its mission as a development supplier.