<br />Introduction<br />In light of growing environmental challenges, converting organic waste into compost is one of the most important sustainable solutions for protecting the environment and improving human health. Instead of becoming a burden in landfills, this waste can be used to produce natural compost that enriches the soil and improves agricultural production without adverse health effects.<br /><br />What is Organic Waste?<br />Organic waste is anything that can be naturally decomposed by microorganisms, including:<br />• Food scraps.<br />• Fruit and vegetable peels.<br />• Coffee grounds and tea leaves.<br />• Dry leaves and plants.<br />• Animal manure.<br />• Agricultural residues (such as straw and plant stems).<br /><br />What is Compost?<br />Compost is an organic material resulting from the decomposition of organic waste by bacteria and fungi under specific conditions of moisture and ventilation. It contains important soil nutrients such as:<br />• Nitrogen (N)<br />• Phosphorus (P)<br />• Potassium (K)<br /><br />Benefits of Organic Compost<br />Environmentally:<br />• Reduces the amount of waste in landfills.<br />• Reduces methane emissions resulting from the decomposition of organic waste in landfills.<br />• Reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers that pollute water and soil.<br />Health:<br />• Reduces chemical contamination in food.<br />• Contains no toxic or allergen-causing substances.<br />• Improves the quality of agricultural products, which positively impacts human health.<br />Agriculturally:<br />• Enriches the soil with nutrients.<br />• Increases its fertility and improves aeration.<br />• Maintains soil moisture and reduces the need for irrigation.<br /><br />How to make organic compost at home?<br />1. Collect organic waste daily.<br />2. Place it in a special container or hole in the ground.<br />3. Turn the material over every few days to aerate it.<br /> 4. Maintain moisture (neither dry nor saturated).<br />5. After 4 to 8 weeks, the mixture will turn into dark, fertile soil.<br /><br /><br />Al _ Mustaqbal University, the first university in Iraq<br />Prepared by: Shahad Nawras Abbas<br />