Abstract

Urban waste composting represents a sustainable approach to organic waste management while providing valuable soil amendments for agricultural and horticultural applications. This comprehensive review examines the benefits and risks associated with using urban waste compost as a soil amendment. The study analyzes various types of urban organic waste, including food scraps, yard trimmings, and biosolids, and their transformation through composting processes. Key benefits identified include improved soil physical properties, enhanced nutrient availability, increased organic matter content, and positive impacts on soil microbiology. However, potential risks such as heavy metal contamination, pathogen presence, phytotoxicity, and variability in compost quality must be carefully considered. The analysis reveals that proper composting protocols, quality control measures, and application guidelines are essential for maximizing benefits while minimizing risks. Results indicate that well-managed urban compost can increase soil organic carbon by 15-25%, improve water retention capacity by 20-30%, and enhance crop yields by 10-20% compared to conventional fertilizers. This review concludes that urban waste compost, when properly processed and applied, offers significant potential for sustainable soil management and circular economy implementation in urban environments.