Common Uses of Biosolids

All plants need nutrients, organic matter, minerals, and microbes to grow and to thrive. From agricultural products grown for consumption to the grass in your front yard, fertilizer is utilized to help them grow and stay healthy. Fertilizer acts as the food for plants. Fertilizers come in both synthetic inorganic chemical form and organic natural forms and they both play a very important role in our society’s agricultural and horticultural needs.

When treated to appropriate standards, biosolids can serve as a viable fertilizer source for homes and farms throughout our great country. Biosolids possess vital nutrient sources that plants need to thrive, in addition to other important elements such as organic matter, micronutrients, and the essential 16 trace elements. Overall, biosolids-based fertilizers offer a great alternative to harmful and dangerous chemical fertilizers for vibrant lawns and farm fields everywhere.

Compost is decomposed organic matter derived through the process of composting. Compostis essentially nothing more thanbroken-down organic material that naturally produces a soil product or dirt like loam. Compost can be rich in organic matter, nutrients, and microbes, which are all essential for supporting good plant health. Once stabilized and properly cured, compost can produce a litany of beneficial benefits such as soil amendment, erosion protection, planting media, even contaminant bioremediation applications.

When treated and processed into compost products or a compost amendment, biosolids can increase nutrient and organic matter content. Overall, Class A biosolid-based composts are some of the most potent agronomically and beneficial materials that can be found today.

All types of soils, from garden soils and lawn soils to agricultural field soils, are prone to degradation. Years and years of soil use and over-application of chemical fertilizer erode critical soil properties, particularly levels of organic matter. Certain soil properties are essential for plant health and help protect against threats such as nutrient pollution. Soils need to be amended periodically to reintroduce healthy organic matter and preserve a well-balanced environmentally protective soil.

Stabilized Class A or EQ biosolids, used either as a compost product or as a standalone material, can enhance and replenish fragile soil properties. Soils made with Class A or EQ biosolids reap the benefits of robust organic matter, vital nutrients, and essential trace elements. From gardens to agricultural fields, these soil amendments can improve and enhance otherwise depleted soil matter, allow plants and crops to grow healthy and strong.

For further information on the complex role that healthy soils have on our society, please check out our section regarding soil quality health.