International Compost Awareness Week
May 5 - 11, 2019
What is it?
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated nationwide and in multiple countries each year during the first full week of May. ICAW started in Canada in 1995 and has continued to grow as more people, businesses, municipalities, schools and organizations are recognizing the importance of composting and the long-term benefits from organics recycling.
The goal of the program 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 nationwide.
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated nationwide and in multiple countries each year during the first full week of May. ICAW started in Canada in 1995 and has continued to grow as more people, businesses, municipalities, schools and organizations are recognizing the importance of composting and the long-term benefits from organics recycling.
The goal of the program 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 nationwide.
Composting Council's Research and Education Foundation
Every year the MNCC participates in the Composting Council's Research and Education Foundation's International Compost Awareness Week. The program hosts a poster contest and promotes holding compost events that take place in the first full week of May.
There are many ways to help reduce our carbon footprint and reduce climate change — adding compost to the soil is one tool in reducing climate change.and recognizes the connection between soil health and climate. By composting, carbon captured by plants from the atmosphere is returned to the soil. In addition, the compost, when returned to the soil, provides resistance to drought and disease, adds nutrients, improves its workability and reduces the release of nitrous oxide.
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 include tours of compost facilities, school gardening programs, compost workshops, lectures by a well-known gardening expert, compost give-away days, to name just a few. Click here to learn more about planning an event or to share information on your upcoming event. To learn more about how you can get involved with ICAW or plan an event in your community, click here to read the Celebrate ICAW Manual.
Many companies strongly support ICAW by becoming an ICAW sponsor.
Every year the MNCC participates in the Composting Council's Research and Education Foundation's International Compost Awareness Week. The program hosts a poster contest and promotes holding compost events that take place in the first full week of May.
There are many ways to help reduce our carbon footprint and reduce climate change — adding compost to the soil is one tool in reducing climate change.and recognizes the connection between soil health and climate. By composting, carbon captured by plants from the atmosphere is returned to the soil. In addition, the compost, when returned to the soil, provides resistance to drought and disease, adds nutrients, improves its workability and reduces the release of nitrous oxide.
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 include tours of compost facilities, school gardening programs, compost workshops, lectures by a well-known gardening expert, compost give-away days, to name just a few. Click here to learn more about planning an event or to share information on your upcoming event. To learn more about how you can get involved with ICAW or plan an event in your community, click here to read the Celebrate ICAW Manual.
Many companies strongly support ICAW by becoming an ICAW sponsor.
2019 ICAW Poster Contest
Congratulations to LA-based illustrator and designer, Evan Clark, for his winning poster design! Cool the Climate - Compost! is the theme for the 2019 poster contest and events that take place the week of May 5-11, 2019.
Evan explains why he entered the contest and his inspiration for the design: "I feel very strongly about the role art and design has in promoting awareness of climate change and sustainability practices. I believe composting is a great way to feel more connected to the food and products we consume and the mechanisms by which they come and go. For my poster design, I wanted to create a small world of imagery that was bold and bright in evoking the positive ideas we associate with composting and a healthy environment. A lot of the discussion around climate change presently is very dire, but I think it is still important to reinforce our commitment to addressing it with positive imagery. Most important of all though, was the central message: Cool the Climate - Compost! I hope my poster can help those wanting to participate in combating climate change realize the helpful role composting can play."
Evan's poster will be mailed to all USCC and MNCC members and available online at the Composting Council's Research and Education Foundation.
The MNCC's ICAW committee is always looking for people to help get the word out and to hold events during ICAW week. Everyone is welcome to get involved!
Evan explains why he entered the contest and his inspiration for the design: "I feel very strongly about the role art and design has in promoting awareness of climate change and sustainability practices. I believe composting is a great way to feel more connected to the food and products we consume and the mechanisms by which they come and go. For my poster design, I wanted to create a small world of imagery that was bold and bright in evoking the positive ideas we associate with composting and a healthy environment. A lot of the discussion around climate change presently is very dire, but I think it is still important to reinforce our commitment to addressing it with positive imagery. Most important of all though, was the central message: Cool the Climate - Compost! I hope my poster can help those wanting to participate in combating climate change realize the helpful role composting can play."
Evan's poster will be mailed to all USCC and MNCC members and available online at the Composting Council's Research and Education Foundation.
The MNCC's ICAW committee is always looking for people to help get the word out and to hold events during ICAW week. Everyone is welcome to get involved!
Events
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 include tours of compost facilities, school gardening programs, compost workshops, lectures by a well-known gardening expert, compost give-away days, to name just a few. Click here to learn more about planning an event or to share information on your upcoming event. To learn more about how you can get involved with ICAW or plan an event in your community, click here to read the Celebrate ICAW Manual.
If you are holding an event we would love to help promote it and to see your pictures. You can email them to compostmn@gmail.com.
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 include tours of compost facilities, school gardening programs, compost workshops, lectures by a well-known gardening expert, compost give-away days, to name just a few. Click here to learn more about planning an event or to share information on your upcoming event. To learn more about how you can get involved with ICAW or plan an event in your community, click here to read the Celebrate ICAW Manual.
If you are holding an event we would love to help promote it and to see your pictures. You can email them to compostmn@gmail.com.
