International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest educational initiative of the composting industry. The goal is to raise awareness of all the benefits when composting food and green organics! New Zealand, though small, plays a significant role in raising awareness about the benefits of composting and enriching our soils.
This year’s theme for ICAW is Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost! Find out more here.
How you can celebrate ICAW?
- Start up your own home composting (Learn more here)
- Read more about composting and all its benefits on our website
- Spread the word about the benefits of composting, using our resources
- Attend workshops in your local area, or tell us about your composting events
- Plant vegetables, flowers or herbs and use compost to fertilise your garden soil.
So, what is happening in New Zealand during ICAW?
There are numerous activities happening around the globe including here in New Zealand. These events feature compost giveaways, educational workshops hosted by various communities, school programs with story-time and gardening activities, as well as online events.
If you want to be included in the calendar below, fill out this form.
Saturday 3 May - 1pm-2:30pm
FREE to attend
Rotorua Library - Te Aka Mauri, 1127 Haupapa Street, Rotorua
Keen to start a compost? Compost already and want to improve? Register to attend one of our family friendly workshops exploring different types of home composting – basic compost, bokashi and worm farming. Run by Rotorua Lakes Council
Spot prizes to be won in celebration of International Compost Awareness Week!
Register here: https://forms.gle/ctBMsqK3UCp6Qwuy5
Saturday 3 May, 1pm - 3pm; Free - Limited Spaces
Woolshed Lodge, 106 Cattle Valley Road, Kurow
As part of International Composting Awareness week, Waste Free Waitaki have a 'How to Create Great Compost' workshop coming up in Kurow in the first weekend in May.
Limited spaces! To find out more, or book your space email wastefreewaitaki@waitaki.govt.nz or phone the Council on 03 433 0300
3 & 4 May - 1pm-3pm; Free to attend
Oamaru Community Gardens
Join Waitaki District Council at the Oamaru Community Gardens to learn about how to get the best out of composting with our composting experts! Register by emailing Waste Free Waitaki.
6 May - 1pm-2.30pm; Free to attend
Age Concern, 62 Oxford Street, Richmond 7020
Whether you’re just getting started, or need a little help trouble shooting, there’s something
for you in this workshop run by Tasman District Council. Plus, there’s some great giveaways and prizes to be won. Presenter Prashanti Lovegrove is knowledgeable and experienced in all methods of composting and passionate about encouraging householders to manage their food scraps, empowering people to turn their waste into a valuable resource. No need to register, just turn up on the day!
7 May - 12-1pm; Free to attend
200 Otaihanga Road (Otaihanga Zero Waste)
Kāpiti Coast District Council's 'Love your Compost' workshop is the second in a series of workshops hosted by Hannah Zwartz. It is a introductory composting 101 workshops focusing on the different types of composting methods and how to set up your own system at home. Learn more here.
7 May - 7-8pm; Free to attend
Harbour View Hotel, 14 Bow Street, Raglan
9 May; Free to attend
Mataweka Marae, 194 Tapairu Road, Waipawa
Central Hawke's Bay District Council Solid Waste team are inviting the CHB community to join in a composting demonstration to be held at a Marae. The public will learn about composting and the benefits thereof. Email CHBDC's customer services for more info.
Tim’s Garden – Composting 101 Workshop: Tim offers monthly workshops from April - June from at Tim's Garden, Gloucester Street, Nelson. Tim's Garden - Compost 101 Workshop
Compost Collective: Multiple composting workshops are hosted around the Auckland region. See what’s happening in your area.
