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International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest educational initiative of the compost industry, celebrated globally during the first full week of May (May 5–11, 2024). It aims to raise awareness about the significant benefits of composting—reducing waste, enriching soil, and helping gardens flourish without chemical fertilizers.

At Yardfully, we are proud to share that we are sponsors, and we’re excited to guide you through the essentials of composting, helping you play a pivotal role in this vital environmental movement.

What Is International Compost Awareness Week?

ICAW transcends being just an event; it’s a concerted global effort to underscore composting’s vital role in environmental sustainability. This week-long initiative educates the public on the value of composting, urging households, communities, and organizations to embrace composting practices and minimize their ecological footprint.

The 2024 theme, “COMPOST… Nature’s Climate Champion,” selected in collaboration with the International Compost Alliance (ICA), underscores composting’s significant role in climate change mitigation. This theme aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically the urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. It highlights composting’s pivotal roles in:

• Decreasing Methane Emissions: By recycling organic materials instead of sending them to landfills, composting significantly reduces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Compost’s incorporation into soil acts as a “carbon bank,” storing carbon and thus removing it from the atmosphere, presenting a substantial solution to climate change mitigation.
• Reducing Fertilizer Inputs: Compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and the pollution associated with their production.
• Increasing Resilience: By enhancing soil health, compost increases resilience to climate change effects, such as drought and extreme weather.

The Importance of Composting

Composting transforms organic waste into a valuable resource, enriching soil and promoting healthier plant growth. It’s a practical response to the urgent need for waste reduction and sustainability in our daily lives. By engaging in composting, you contribute to a cycle that nourishes the earth and supports biodiversity.

Getting Involved with International Compost Awareness Week

Joining the ICAW movement is easier than you might think. Here are some steps to get you started:

• Participate in Local Events: Seek out composting workshops and events in your community to learn from master gardeners, composting experts, and connect with fellow enthusiasts.
• Educate Your Community: Share your knowledge and experiences with composting at local schools, community centers, or through social media.
• Start Backyard Composting: Turn your food and yard waste into “black gold” right at home. Getting started is easy with the GEOBIN® Composter.

As proud sponsors of International Compost Awareness Week, we’re committed to not only promoting the benefits of composting but also to practicing what we preach. By supporting this initiative, we hope to inspire a wave of positive change towards more sustainable living practices across the globe. Composting is a powerful tool in our environmental toolkit, and together, we can make a significant impact.

Special Offer for Municipalities and Organizations

For municipalities, master gardener programs, and organizations interested in promoting composting, we offer bulk pricing on the GEOBIN Composter to support your efforts. Contact us for a quote and to receive a complimentary GEOBIN Composter to display and use to promote your programs. Let’s partner to make composting accessible and cost-effective for your community.