Skip to Content

[X] CLOSEMENU

All Things Compost

April 10, 2018

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is just around the corner! ICAW is a comprehensive educational initiative celebrated annually in the US and countries around the world during the first full week of May. It is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. Each year, ICAW engages residents, businesses, communities, schools, and organizations to participate in outreach and activities promoting the importance of composting and the benefits of organics recycling.

ICAW is organized by the Composting Council Research & Education Foundation (CCREF). The goal of the annual event is to “raise the awareness of the public regarding the benefits of using compost to improve or maintain high quality soil, to grow healthy plants, reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides, improve water quality and protect the environment.” The program includes a poster contest, programs at schools, and activities and events promoted through governments, public municipalities, and local businesses.

This year the week dedicated to building awareness about compost will be held May 6 – 12 with the theme of Compost! Building a Better Future

ICAW Poster 2018

The ICAW Poster Contest is held each year, starting Sept. 1st.  This year’s poster, designed by high-school student, Talia Mitre, has been mailed out to thousands of people across the country.  Close to 300 people, age ten and above from over 30 countries, entered this year’s contest. Posters are available through the ICAW store.

Starting to plan early for activities and events is a great way to ensure maximum attendance and coverage.  The ICAW “Get Involved” webpage provides ideas on different activities and events for communities, schools, organizations, and individuals. The webpage is also a place for organizers to enter event plans in order to share with others. CCREF has a great “Celebrate ICAW Manual with tips about planning an event, promotion, social media, talking points, resources, and other information.  

There’s also a sample press release, a sample proclamation that can be used to encourage cities or states to recognize ICAW, and other materials related to this special annual celebration of all things compost.

Throughout the week of ICAW, community and business events are held to encourage and celebrate composting. All types of composting—from backyard to large-scale—are promoted. Events are sponsored by communities, schools, business, and institutions to encourage and celebrate composting. Events include compost operation tours, school composting and garden activities, compost workshops, compost “give-away” days, radio shows and speaker events, compost bin sales, and more. States and communities are encouraged to adopt ICAW Proclamations.

By Athena Lee Bradley, NERC and Beth Simone, CCREF


For additional information or if you need help with anything related to ICAW, contact Beth at bethsimone(at)compostfoundation.org.

Comments (0)


Add a Comment





Allowed tags: <b><i><br>Add a new comment: