Sewage sludge in southern Jiangsu Province contains nutrients like organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus, but also heavy metals and pathogens. Applying sludge to farmland can improve soil quality and plant growth, but its poor structure and contaminants limit its use. Methods like bioleaching, mixing with alkali materials, and composting can make sludge safer for land application. Developing sludge into fertilizer or substrates for plants is a promising solution for safe disposal in the region.