Composting Vocabulary

3. Any material that will not decompose in the composting process (includes glass, metal, plastic, and styrofoam).
6. The process by which worms convert organic waste into worm castings (rich in plant material).
7. A liquid extracted from compost that contains nutrients.
9. Biological degradation of organic matter under aerobic conditions to a relatively stable hummus-like material.
10. Food or other organic waste that is sorted to remove contamination and recyclables at the location where waste is generated (an acronym).
11. The dark or black carbon-rich relatively stable residue resulting from the decomposition of organic matter.
12. Sludge Solid portion of waste from sewage treatment plants (contains human waste).

1. Soil that contains minerals from the subsoil and humus from the organic layer. It is the layer of soil where most plant and animal life can be found.
2. Occurs naturally when an organism dies; its remains are attacked by microorganisms and invertebrates in the soil and its decomposed into hummus.
4. A tunnel formed when an earthworm eats its way through soil or pushes soil aside to form a place to live.
5. Matter Chemical substances of animal or vegetable origin, consisting of hydrocarbons and their derivatives.
8. content The percent of a substance comprised of water.