INTENSIVE CROPS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROGRESSIVE DEPLETION OF THE ORGANIC SUBSTANCE PRESENT IN THE SOIL. TO REMEDY THIS PHENOMENON A VALID ALTERNATIVE TO THE USE OF LIVESTOCK WASTE IS REPRESENTED BY THE USE OF SEWAGE SLUDGE PROPERLY TREATED AND CONTROLLED AND/OR DIGESTATE, ESPECIALLY IN MANY AREAS DIFFICULT TO FIND DUE TO LACK AND/OR SCARSITÃ OF FARMS. THANKS TO THE SPECIFIC COMPOSITION OF TREATED SLUDGE CHARACTERISED BY THE HIGH NUTRIENT CONTENT AND THE EFFECTIVE ORGANIC MASS SUPPLY, THEY CAN BE USED IN AGRICULTURE WITH POSITIVE EFFECTS ON PRODUCTIVITY, PARTIALLY OR TO-TALLY REPLACING CHEMICAL FERTILISERS MOST TOXIC TO HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH.IN ITALY, ABOUT 3.1 MILLION TONS OF MUD ARE PRODUCED ANNUALLY.