Composting

Composting is the controlled biological decomposition of organic matter into a stable, humus-rich material used to improve soil.

Aerobic decomposition: The breakdown of organic matter by organisms that use oxygen. Most managed composting relies on oxygen-consuming microbes to decompose material efficiently.
Organic matter: Material derived from living organisms, including plant, animal, and microbial remains. It is the broad class of material that composting transforms.
Backyard composting: Small-scale composting of household and garden organic waste at home. It applies composting principles to kitchen scraps and yard materials.
Landfill: A site where waste is disposed of by burial under managed conditions. Organic waste buried in landfills decomposes under different conditions and can generate methane.
Soil structure: The arrangement of soil particles into aggregates and the spaces between them. Compost can support aggregation, improving soil porosity and water movement.
Compost pile: A managed heap of organic materials arranged to decompose into compost. Its size and structure affect airflow, heat retention, and moisture.
Decomposer: An organism that breaks down dead organic material and releases simpler substances. Bacteria and fungi carry out much of the biological work in a compost pile.
Industrial composting: Large-scale processing of organic materials under managed composting conditions. Facilities can control temperature and airflow while treating large waste streams.
Incineration: The controlled combustion of waste to reduce its volume and sometimes recover energy. It destroys organic material rather than turning it into a soil amendment.
Soil organic carbon: Carbon stored in soil as organic compounds from plants, animals, and microorganisms. Applying compost can add organic carbon, though long-term storage depends on conditions.

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