(Science Trek music) JOAN CARTAN-HANSEN, HOST: There are several factors in how quickly organic garbage decomposes, that is turns back into soil.

Things like how dense the material is, how thick and how big.

The weather plays a big role in the decaying process.

Water, oxygen, and the warmth of the sun speeds up decay.

And the decaying process needs decomposers.

Decomposers are organisms that eat biodegradable matter.

They're called nature's clean-up crew.

Scavengers like vultures, rats and termites feed on dead animals and trash.

Detritivores, like earthworms, flies and Dung beetles eat dead plants, animal waste and organic material.

Then there are decomposers like fungi and bacteria.

They break down the waste and remains of living material.

The byproduct of this decay is called compost.

It gets mixed into the soil, adding lots of nutrients.

Decomposers don't just deal with waste on the ground.

Some help clean water by filtering it and absorbing the nutrients.

For more information about garbage, check out the Science Trek website.

You'll find it at ScienceTrek.org

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