International Compost Awareness Week
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) Better Soil, Better Life, Better Future May 4th-10th, is a nationwide celebration held annually during the first full week of May, aims to improve awareness of the importance of compost and to promote compost use, knowledge and products.
This year's theme is 'Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost'. The theme highlights that when we're repurposing food that would go into landfill, we're creating fresh nutrients for the soil, which regenerates the earth and provides healthier food for everyone in the community.
No matter the size of your home or garden, composting is something everyone can do. About 50% of the waste Australians throw out could be composted to enrich soil and grow healthy gardens. A third of this is food scraps like peelings.
When organic waste ends up in landfill without air, it creates methane—a greenhouse gas 25x more harmful than CO₂—contributing over 3% to Australia’s emissions. Composting instead helps lock carbon into the soil, reduces water use by around 30%, and supports thriving veggie and fruit gardens. 🌱🍎🌏
Home Composting
Turning this organic waste into compost helps:
Improve soil health and boost garden vitality
Suppress pests and reduce the need for chemicals
Cut down landfill waste and harmful emissions
Retain soil moisture, reducing the need to water
Filter runoff and protect waterways
Composting is a simple way to care for your garden and the planet 🌿♻️
How to Make Great Compost at Home
Making compost is easy! All you need is a mix of "greens" and "browns," a bit of moisture, and some air.
🌱 1 Part Greens = fruit & veggie scraps, coffee grounds, grass clippings (adds nitrogen)
🍂 2/3 Part Browns = dry leaves, paper, cardboard, straw (adds carbon)
Choose a spot – Use a compost bin, pile, or tumbler in a shady, well-drained area.
Layer it up – Alternate greens and browns to keep a good balance.
Keep it moist – Like a wrung-out sponge. Not too wet, not too dry.
Turn it – Mix your compost every week or so to let air in and speed things up.
Wait & use – In a few months, you’ll have rich, dark compost ready for your garden beds and pots!
Healthy compost doesn’t smell bad – it smells earthy and fresh. Give it some love, and your garden will thank you! 🌿🪱
What to add in your compost bin:
Vegetable and fruit scraps, vegetable oil, prunings and lawn clippings, tea bags and coffee, grounds, vacuum dust, shredded paper and cardboard, used potting mix, egg shells, flowers.
What not to add in your compost bin:
Meat and bones, dairy products, diseased plants, metals, plastic and glass, animal manures, fat, magazines, large branches, weeds that have seeds or underground stems, sawdust from treated timber, pet droppings, synthetic chemicals.
Local Events
03/05/2025 5:30pm – 7pm Online event https://www.compostweek.com.au/events/sustainable-communities-begin-with-compost/
07/05/2025 10:00am – 11:30am Aldinga Community Centre, Aldinga Beach SA
https://www.compostweek.com.au/events/composting-made-simple-easy-steps-for-beginners/
