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. 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.                                                                                            Here are some key facts regarding organics recycling and compost use highlighting why ICAW is such an important awareness-building program helping make our communities more sustainable:

1}Composting reduces methane emissions through aerobic managed decomposition providing for a more sustainable community.

2}Composting lowers greenhouse gases by improving carbon sequestration in the soil. Getting the carbon back into the soil serves as a “carbon bank,” helping to store carbon thereby removing it from the atmosphere.

3}Compost provides essential nutrients for plants, promoting vibrant gardens and farms. Healthier soil leads to healthier, more nutritious food for our communities.

3}Compost use increases the water-holding capacity of our soils; important as our communities are more and more often seeing drought and or intense rain events causing soil runoff and erosion.

4}Community Gardens and Green Spaces: Compost plays a vital role in community gardens, fostering green spaces that provide fresh produce, recreational opportunities, and community gathering places.