International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is celebrated annually during the first full week of May and is a time to learn more about composting organic wastes (e.g., landscape wastes and food scraps) as part of fostering healthier soil and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

This year’s theme is “Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!” As explained on the Compost Research & Education Foundation website, “This theme was chosen with the goal of highlighting composting in all kinds of communities at any scale – from the backyard home composter to community composters, to large-scale facilities to all those who recognize the many benefits of using compost on our soils.  As has been done for the past several years, the theme was chosen by all of the international partners who are part of the International Compost Alliance – making it truly an international theme.  This year’s theme was inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11 “Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”

Learn more in my recent post for the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) blog: https://blog.istc.illinois.edu/2025/04/23/celebrate-international-compost-awareness-week-may-4-10-2025/

My ISTC blog post includes links to ICAW resources developed by the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition (IFSCC). I’ve been involved with IFSCC for several years, and currently serve on the communications committee. IFSCC does a great job of coordinating with partners throughout the state to highlight events (aka “Adventures in Composting”) both in-person and virtually during ICAW. They have also developed a helpful toolkit in case you or a local organization in your area are interested in hosting your own ICAW event (bookmark this for next year if this is the first time you’ve heard about ICAW!). Even if you don’t want to host an event, check this out if you have little ones for the list of children’s books related to compost.

If you’re in IL and are interested in joining IFSCC, you’re in luck! In honor of ICAW, for the month of May only, you can join IFSCC for half price! The offer applies to new members only, not renewing members. Join at https://illinoiscomposts.org/membership/.

If you’re new to composting and want to learn about the science, how to start your own compost pile, understand the sustainability (environmental, social, and economic) benefits of composting, and more, check out the Institute for Local Self Reliance’s 7-day online guided curriculum to boost your compost knowledge!

If you prefer to watch videos rather than read through all this info, the following are some videos to guide you through various forms of composting so you can pick the method that will work best for you.

  • 6 Different Ways to Compost, No Matter Where You Live: https://youtu.be/eO4HdrIXnVU. This Epic Gardening video covers hot (rapid) composting, cold (slower, more passive) composting, compost tumblers, worm composting (aka vermicomposting), bokashi (good option for apartment dwellers), and direct burying of food scraps.
  • LAZY Composting (Low-Effort Compost): https://youtu.be/aIk8n9D4PyI.  Tips for hot and cold (or passive) composting.
  • How to Compost on a Balcony: https://youtu.be/0u-1yZuSCao. Not everyone has a yard, so this is another resource that would be great for apartment dwellers. This could also work on a patio or corner of a small yard.
  • Simple Compost Bin Design Indoor: Outdoor Apartment Friendly: https://youtu.be/H6nfKSYp7A0. Another interesting video for apartment dwellers, illustrating how large, stacked, terra cotta pots can be used for composting in both indoor and outdoor settings.
  • Worm Composting: https://youtu.be/jJ3QIZMta98. This University of Maine video shows you how to make a DIY worm bin using some plastic storage tubs. This is another great indoor option for composting at home.
  • Worm Towers from 5-gallon buckets:  https://youtu.be/37yz2sMjHlE. This video illustrates an easy DIY option for creating an in-ground worm bin within garden beds. You can also check out this vlogger’s update video on harvesting worm casting from such bins: https://youtu.be/hlOKwEk_kw0. If you’re not into DIY and can afford to buy something readymade, check out Subpod.

Happy composting!