Since sewage sludge has accumulated solid wastes from the treatment of a public wastes, it contains pollutants that can be passed from hospitals, schools, households, industries and sewers that flow into that sewage treatment plant.
Organic fertilizers are commonly processed from various animal and plant by-products, like poultry feathers, manures and treated sewage sludge.
There is some question about the long term effects of using sewage sludge products in the garden, particularly around edible crops. Heavy metals such as cadmium, sometimes present in the sludge, may build up in the soil.
Increase the organic matter content of garden soils by tilling in organic residues, such as manures, compost, sewage sludge (biosolids), or sawdust, or by growing and turning under green manure crops such as rye, oats, or clover.
Organic plant material is not grown with synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides or sewage sludge.
Organic plant material will not use genetically engineered stock plants or radiation treatments.
and seeds labeled as organic must be grown and processed in accordance with the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP), which prohibits the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, genetically engineered seeds and materials, sewage sludge ...
" This is a very loose term that can include yard waste, sewage sludge or other unknown composted items. Make sure the kind of compost is stated on the bag; generally, compost made from aged forest products is considered to be top quality.
Never use manures from any animal that eats meat (this includes humans). And never use sewage sludge or milorganite (human waste from sewage treatment plants).
This ensures that the entire pile of compost has been pasteurised. The final product has a wonderful texture and a sweet smell. It is hard to believe that it contains sewage sludge and decomposing fish as well as other organic waste products.
 See also: Sludge, Fertilize, Soil, Manure, Water
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