- aerobic decomposition of organic matter into humus by bacteria, fungi, and invertebrates
- inputs: kitchen scraps, crop residue, manure, leaf litter
- outputs: stable soil amendment rich in nutrients and microbial life
- closes the carbon cycle loop: returns fixed carbon to soil instead of landfill
- process stages: mesophilic, thermophilic (kills pathogens), cooling, curing
- methods: windrow, static pile, vermicomposting, bokashi (anaerobic pre-step)
- reduces methane emissions compared to anaerobic landfill decomposition
- essential practice in regenerative agriculture and cyberia food systems
- nutrient recycling supports crops without synthetic fertilizer dependency