International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW)
May 2-8, 2021
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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Events
ICAW Contests (September 1st - November 2nd):
This international contest runs from September 1st until November 2nd, 2020. The theme is based on the circular movement of the organics recycling process, flowing from farm to table to farm again.
THEME: Grow, Eat…COMPOST…Repeat
Grade 4-8: Video Contest
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Grade 9 and older: Poster Contest
Anyone 9th grade (age 14) or older who wishes to share their artistic creativity to promote this year’s theme is welcome to join the fun! We invite EVERYONE to join in and celebrate ICAW this year! The winning poster will serve as the United States promotional piece for ICAW 2021 (May 2 – 8), and the successful poster winner will receive a $500 prize. Learn more about the contest and contest requirements here.
How can we celebrate International Compost Awareness Week?
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 can include tours of compost facilities, school gardening programs, compost workshops, lectures by a well-known gardening expert, compost giveaway 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.
Anyone 9th grade (age 14) or older who wishes to share their artistic creativity to promote this year’s theme is welcome to join the fun! We invite EVERYONE to join in and celebrate ICAW this year! The winning poster will serve as the United States promotional piece for ICAW 2021 (May 2 – 8), and the successful poster winner will receive a $500 prize. Learn more about the contest and contest requirements here.
How can we celebrate International Compost Awareness Week?
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 can include tours of compost facilities, school gardening programs, compost workshops, lectures by a well-known gardening expert, compost giveaway 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.
MNCC Celebrates ICAW
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We intended to celebrate ICAW 2020 with an event incorporating compost, raffles, community, and compost-related resources, but due to COVID-19, the event was canceled.
Like us on Facebook and join us in celebrating ICAW 2021 digitally from May 2-8th! |
Compost Site Locator
Use the Compost Site locator tool to find a compost site near you. Purchase compost from the site to start your victory garden, top dress your lawn, or give your potted plants a little boost. You can visit our Compost Uses webpage to learn more.
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.
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.
