International Compost Awareness Week
May 3-9, 2020
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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. Find resources to promote ICAW and the benefits of using compost on the Composting Council Research and Education's ICAW web page. |
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ICAW 2019 summary and 2020 plans
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In 2019 the MNCC held a Compost Awareness Week Event at Urban Growler in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition to giving out free compost to attendees, raffling off compost bins, kitchen collection pails, the MNCC had free resources and large maps showing all of the organics recycling programs in Minnesota and all of the compost sites in our State. The Wildflower Project was on site using some of the compost to top dress the on-site garden and plant plugs of pollinator species.
We intended to hold a similar event for ICAW 2020. The event has been delayed due to COVID-19 and the need to physically distance to slow the spread. Like us on FaceBook and help we celebrate ICAW 2020 digitally. Use the Compost Site locator tool to find a compost site near you. Purchase compost from them to start your victory garden, top dress your lawn, or give your potted plants a little boost. |
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.
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.
