PRESS RELEASE: ALL PATHS LEAD TO COMPOST ! Global Theme for International Compost Awareness Week 2027 Announced
The members of the International Compost Alliance (ICA), including the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA), are pleased to announce ‘ALL PATHS LEAD TO COMPOST’ as the global theme for International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) 2027, taking place May 2 – 8, 2027.
Compost advocates, communities, businesses and organisations around the world are invited to mark their calendars, plan and join this annual celebration of compost and organics recycling, highlighting how compost helps build healthier soil, stronger communities and a more sustainable future.
The 2027 theme aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, recognizing the essential role that innovation and investment play in creating a thriving circular bioeconomy at both the local and global levels.
As countries work to reduce waste, conserve natural resources and tackle climate change, composting and anaerobic digestion are proven technologies that transform organic waste into valuable products to improve soil health, recycle nutrients and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-intensive fertilizers. Every individual can contribute to this effort. Involvement combined with the power of continued innovation, infrastructure and investment will help unlock even greater environmental, economic and social benefits.
The work of our industry of compost advocates and practitioners in returning organic matter to the soil through compost supports every sustainability target including:
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by keeping organics out of landfills and incinerations
• Building healthier, carbon rich soils that improve food production and climate resilience
• Recycling valuable nutrients and reducing dependence on fossil-based mineral fertilizers
• Supporting biodiversity and ecosystem restoration
• Improving soil’s ability to retain water and be resistant to droughts
• Empowering communities to take practical, low cost climate action.
“Whether at home, work, or in our communities, recycling organic resources into compost is one of the simplest and most effective actions we can all take for the environment” said John McKew, AORA National Executive Officer. “This year’s theme reminds us that there are many different routes to a more sustainable future, but they all lead to compost. We encourage compost advocates across Australia to plan to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week 2027, and showcase how composting is helping protect our climate, enrich our soils and strengthen our communities”.
Join the Celebration!
Every year, International Compost Awareness week inspires thousands of activities around the world including composting workshops, open houses, demonstrations, school events, community garden projects and many other types of events. Individuals can also get involved by starting their own composting system at home, at work or in their community, getting to know the important workings at a local composting facility and by adding compost to their soil to improve their garden’s productivity and climate-resiliency.
Here are just some suggestions as to how to celebrate this important week:
• Host facility open houses — tours of compost sites, transfer stations or community gardens.
• Host a “how to compost” event or facility tour
• Promote your compost, showcasing it in local community gardens, farmers’ markets or other gatherings
• Organize a “Feed the Soil” challenge – encourage households, businesses, schools and other locations to track their organic residuals for one week to show how they add up and can make a meaningful environmental difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating healthier soil
• Request your municipality to officially recognize May 2 – 8, 2027 as International Compost Awareness Week.
• Share reminders of proper sorting with “What Goes Where” guides and tips on how to use quality compost for healthy soil
• Celebrate your Compost! story, showcasing your and your team’s work and community contributions
• Feature composting in farmers’ markets — booths, soil displays, kids’ activities.
Thank You to Compost Champions Everywhere!
Creating lasting change takes persistence, collaboration and commitment. The International Compost Alliance (ICA) would like to recognise and thank the thousands of compost advocates around the world for your steady, determined efforts to shift habits, inspire communities and champion the regenerative practices our planet urgently needs. Your dedication — whether through community programs, education, research or simply leading by example — is helping make positive change happen – for our climate, our communities and our future. THANK YOU, both today, tomorrow and always.
Together, all paths lead to compost.
Contact: John McKew, AORA National Executive Office (E: [email protected])
Notes to Editors
The International Compost Alliance is a global network of compost organizations working to advance compost production, use and awareness worldwide. Through collaboration, education and advocacy, ICA promotes composting as a practical solution for healthier soils, resource recovery and environmental sustainability. Members include:
The Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA);
Compost Council of Canada (CCC);
European Compost Network (ECN);
International Solid Waste Association (ISWA);
Italian Composting and Biogas Association (CIC);
CRÉ – Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland;
The Organics Recycling Association of South Africa (ORASA);
WasteMINZ (Waste Management Institute of New Zealand);
The Renewable Energy Association (REA);
The United States Composting Council (USCC); and
The Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF)
