International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) began in 1995 in Canada, launched by the Compost Council of Canada. Shortly after, the U.S. Composting Council joined in, and together the two organizations promoted ICAW across their countries. While each country eventually developed its own approach and programming, the core principles remained the same: ICAW would always be celebrated during the first full week of May, and its purpose would always be to build public awareness of the many benefits of organics recycling and compost use. Over time, ICAW grew into a truly international program, with countries around the world joining in the celebration.
In 2016, the Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) assumed leadership of ICAW in the United States, ensuring the program aligned closely with the Foundation’s mission to advance compost education and research. Today, CREF continues to collaborate with the Compost Council of Canada, the U.S. Composting Council, and international partners to expand ICAW’s reach and impact.
A hallmark of ICAW in the U.S. has been the annual ICAW Poster Contest, which began in 2008. Open to participants worldwide ages 14 and older, the contest invites creative designs that capture the spirit of each year’s theme. The winning design is released each March, featured on posters that include the logos of ICAW’s generous sponsors, helping extend the campaign’s visibility across communities worldwide.
Central to this process is the International Compost Alliance (ICA), whose members provide essential guidance and input in selecting the ICAW theme each year. Their contributions ensure that ICAW continues to highlight the global importance of composting, while giving communities and organizations a unifying message to share.
