Which waste management method utilizes a natural process for degradation?

Composting is a waste management method that utilizes natural processes for the degradation of organic materials. In this method, organic waste, such as food scraps and plant material, undergoes biological decomposition facilitated by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen. As these microbes break down the organic matter, they transform it into compost, a nutrient-rich material that can be used to enrich soil.

The natural decomposition process involved in composting is analogous to what occurs in nature, where organic materials break down over time in the environment. This method not only reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills but also promotes recycling of nutrients back into the ecosystem, making it an environmentally beneficial practice.

Other waste management methods mentioned do not primarily rely on natural processes. Incineration involves burning waste at high temperatures, which is a physical and chemical change rather than natural degradation. Inertization is a method that involves encasing waste in a solid matrix, effectively isolating it, rather than allowing it to degrade. Landfilling entails burying waste, which can slow down its degradation due to anaerobic conditions, but it is not a natural process of degradation similar to composting.