Abstract: Municipal solid waste is treated by a method in which pollution of air, water and soil is minimized. Light, long fiber paper pulp which is in great demand and fertilizer which controllably releases its nutrients are recovered which render the treatment efficient and economical. The solid waste after removal of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, glass and other aggregates, is sonically pulped to prevent shearing of fibers using such chemicals that when subsequently phosphated, and xanthated if desired, will cause salts to precipitate with inks, coatings and waxes removed from the fibers to provide fertilizers with controlled nutrient release on the one hand and high quality paper pulp on the other.