In this process, various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, break down organic matter into simpler substances. The effectiveness of the composting process is dependent upon the environmental conditions present within the composting system i.e. oxygen, temperature, moisture, material disturbance, organic matter and the size and activity of microbial populations. Composting is not a mysterious or complicated process.
Organic matter is metabolized by microorganisms and consumed by invertebrates.
The resulting nutrients are returned to the soil to support plant growth. Composting is relatively simple to manage, can be carried out on a wide range of scales in almost any indoor or outdoor environment and in almost any geographic location. It has the potential to manage most of the organic material in the waste stream including restaurant waste, leaves and yard wastes, farm waste, animal manure, animal carcasses, paper products, sewage sludge, wood etc. and can be easily incorporated into any waste management plan. In addition, an effective composting program can produce a high quality soil amendment with a variety of end uses . The essential elements required by the composting microorganisms are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and moisture.