Every year, during the first full week of May, communities around the globe celebrate International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW)—a time to spotlight the power of composting and its role in creating a healthier planet. At Waste Free Society, we’re proud to join this global movement to educate, inspire, and empower people to reduce food waste and enrich the earth.
What Is Composting?
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It transforms organic waste—like food scraps, yard clippings, and even paper products—into nutrient-rich soil. This process not only diverts waste from landfills but also helps build healthier soil, grow stronger plants, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Why International Compost Awareness Week Matters
ICAW is more than a week of celebrating soil—it’s a call to action. With up to 40% of food in the U.S. wasted and landfills generating significant methane emissions, composting offers a simple, impactful solution we can all participate in.
This year’s theme, “Compost… Nature’s Climate Champion!”, reminds us that composting is more than a gardening trend—it’s a tool for fighting climate change. By returning organic matter to the earth, we’re restoring balance and resilience to our environment.
How You Can Get Involved
Whether you’re compost-curious or a seasoned soil saver, ICAW is the perfect time to level up your efforts:
- Start a Compost Bin
Begin with kitchen scraps like fruit peels, veggie ends, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Add in yard waste like dry leaves or grass clippings to balance green and brown materials. - Attend a Local Workshop or Event
Many cities host free composting demonstrations, giveaways, or community garden events during ICAW. - Educate Your Community
Share composting tips with friends, family, or online. Even small shifts in behavior—like separating food scraps from trash—can have a big impact. - Support Local Compost Programs
Advocate for curbside compost pickup or drop-off sites in your area. If your city doesn’t offer services, start a petition or join a zero-waste community group. - Become Waste Free Certified
At Waste Free Society, we recognize and support individuals, businesses, and schools making sustainable choices. Learn how our Waste Free Certification can help your organization implement composting and other zero-waste practices.
Fun Compost Facts to Share This Week
- Compost can hold up to 20 times its weight in water, reducing the need for irrigation.
- Proper composting reduces methane emissions, a gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
- Healthy soil from composting supports biodiversity—think bees, worms, fungi, and more!
Let’s Turn Scraps Into Solutions
At its core, composting is a reminder that waste isn’t waste—it’s a resource. During International Compost Awareness Week, let’s celebrate what’s possible when we work with nature instead of against it. Together, we can reduce landfill waste, combat climate change, and build a waste-free future, one banana peel at a time.
Ready to get started?
Check out our Master Composting 7 Step Starter Guide, explore our Waste Free Certification, or connect with us on Instagram to share your composting setup!
About Waste Free Society: Waste Free Society is on a mission to make sustainable living accessible to everyone. Through our Waste Free Certification program, we offer compost pickup services for businesses ready to go green. Our Waste Free Academy hosts hands-on workshops in composting, gardening, art, and sustainability for kids and adults. Join us at our Second Saturday Market for community compost drop-off, thrifting, and more ways to live waste free.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for tips, tools, and ways to take action.
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