Composting is a process that has been used by farmers as far back as 300 B.C. On clay tablets, the Akkadian Empire of the Mesopotamian Valley recorded using rotted manure in their fields to fertilize the soil. Some archaeologists and historians have determined that the Romans, Greeks, and various Israeli Tribes used the process of composting on their farms. Also, both the Bible and Talmud also referred to the use of rotted straw and manure, and influential writers including Sir Walter Raleigh, Shakespeare, and Sir Francis Bacon, have also discussed the use of rotted organic material for farming. As Europeans began settling on the North American Continent, they soon learned that the Native Americans had also known of the composting process and…show more content… One advantage to composting is the significant reduction of waste volume that it removes from landfills. Composting converts organic waste into a nutrient-rich and organic soil amendment, which means it can be used rather than being disposed of into landfills. Another advantage to compost is that it reduces dependency of consumers on fertilizer manufacturing companies. Therefore, composting can be an inexpensive alternative to synthetic fertilizers. Adding compost to soil can also assist in maintaining a balanced soil pH. Most vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants require a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If the soil is too acidic (pH less than 6.0), adding compost can raise it. If the soil is too alkaline (pH greater than 7.5), then adding compost can lower it (Panter, 2009). According to an experimental study conducted by Claudio K. Morikawa and Masahiko Saigusa at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization in Ano Tsu Mie, Japan, coffee grounds added to compost adjusted the pH level to mildly acidic (Sandy 2008). In comparison, a study conducted at the Department of Soil Water Conservation and Organic Waste Management in Espinardo, Murcia, Spain found that adding coffee grounds to compost did not produce an acidic pH; it adjusted the pH levels to somewhat alkaline (M. Ros et al,