Similar names: Organic amendments

Composting is an effective method of organic waste management, involving the controlled aerobic decomposition of organic matter, such as plant and animal waste. This process results in compost, a stable, humus-like material that can be directly applied to soil. The primary goal of composting is to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills while providing economic, environmental, and social benefits. When used in soil, compost enriches it, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and lowering potential methane emissions from landfills.

The composting process (Source)

Due to its recycling nature, composting is a cost-effective tool for managing organic waste, utilizing leftover materials from land-based processes. It offers a range of co-benefits that enhance land and soil regeneration practices. Agronomically, composting supports crop yields, improves soil moisture content and workability, enhances crop nutritional quality, and suppresses weeds, pests, and diseases. Additionally, composting provides broader environmental benefits by supplying essential nutrients (such as mineralized nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), reducing soil erosion, sequestering carbon, and improving soil biological properties and biodiversity.

Furthermore, compost can be used as a mulching material in landscaping, garden management, and the restoration of abandoned quarries, among other applications.

Agricultural benefits of composting (Source)