International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated during the first full week of May throughout the US and internationally. The goal of ICAW is to work together to raise public awareness on why we all should be composting our organics and using compost to create healthier soil.
The program includes a poster contest held in the fall and thousands of activities and events held during the week in May. Each year, for ICAW in the US a new theme is chosen. The theme is used for the Poster Contest, which encourages artists, age 14 and older, from throughout the world to create a design sharing the importance of composting and compost use.
Throughout the week of ICAW, events are held all over the country and the world with communities, schools, governments and businesses planning different activities to encourage and celebrate composting – all types of composting – from backyard to large–scale.
How can you get involved?
- To learn more about the many ways you can contribute, read the Celebrate ICAW Manual.
- Check out the event page, which is updated with plans across the country as we get closer to ICAW, for more event ideas.
- Volunteer to help encourage or run ICAW events or activities in your state or community. Click here to learn more about being an ICAW volunteer coordinator.
- Many companies strongly support ICAW each year by becoming an ICAW sponsor. If you would like to be an ICAW 2025 sponsor, contact Beth Simone, [email protected].
- Finally, browse the ICAW Downloads/Resources (at left and above) for tools, resources, and ideas to help YOU celebrate International Compost Awareness Week!
