Composting is a fermentation process, the break down of organic material aided by an array of microorganisms, earthworms, and other insects in the presence of air and moisture. This process yields compost (residual organic material often referred to as humus), ammonia, carbon dioxide, sulphur compounds, volatile organic acids, water vapor, and heat. Typically, the amount of compost produced is 40–60% of the volume of the original waste.

For the numerous organisms that contribute to the composting process to grow and function, they must have access to and synthesize components such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, inorganic salts, sulphur, phosphorus, and trace amounts of micronutrients. The key to initiating and maintaining the composting process is a carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio between 25:1 and 30:1. When C:N ratio is in excess of 30:1, the decomposition process is suppressed due to inadequate nitrogen limiting the evolution of bacteria essential to break the strong carbon...