Compost Awareness Week
Illinois is celebrating compost throughout the state during International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), May 4-10. Check out the Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition (IFSCC) website for a map of events, program details and virtual registration links. This year’s theme is Sustainable Communities Begin with COMPOST.
The Illinois lineup isn't just for farmers, gardeners and composting industry folks. These are fun and informative opportunities for all adults, youths and families to experience. Events aim to bring an element of fun and education throughout twelve Illinois counties and a growing community of compost advocates every first week of May.
Composting is an essential element in developing a sustainable resources and waste management plan. It empowers all communities to manage their own waste, creates job opportunities and supports healthy soils. All over the world, people are realizing that regenerating our soil and food systems (with compost!) is the path forward.
Virtual opportunities include:
Legislative Lunch & Learn [VIRTUAL], Wednesday, May 7, Noon
Grab your lunch and join IFSCC for this year’s Legislative Lunch and Learn! Each year, IFSCC provides an overview of the food scrap and compost-related legislation pending in Illinois, what you can do to help get that legislation passed, and how you can turn your own ideas into legislative initiatives.
Compost Café [VIRTUAL] Thursday, May 8, 7:00 pm
This café has the ultimate “brew”—compost! Hear stories from a community here in Illinois, Grayslake, and from across the U.S., and around the globe, as we share a variety of strategies for developing composting efforts in YOUR community.
Or check out an in-person Adventures in Composting event in Chicago:
Powering the Future: A Collaborative Workshop on Community-Driven Biomass Solutions
Sunday, May 4, 11:30-12:30 pm — Center on Halsted, 3656 North Halsted
An interactive workshop on how biomass can revolutionize sustainable energy in Illinois!
Bucket by Bucket: A Compost Workshop: Trench composting & compost bin maintenance
Sunday, May 4, 1:00-3:00 pm — Englewood Veterans Garden, 5705-07 S Hermitage St
A demonstration of how to do raised bed trench composting and do compost bin maintenance
IFSCC Member Appreciation Event
Wednesday May 7, 4:00-7:00 pm — Midwest Coast Brewing Company, 2137 W Walnut St.
Register for this party to celebrate compost awareness week
Explore Composting with Worms for Kids
Thursday May 8, 4:30-5:30 pm — West Town Library, 1625 W. Chicago Avenue
Register for this event where kids will learn about composting, including nature’s best composters: worms!
IFSCC & ICAW Compost Giveback at We Sow We Grow
Saturday May 10, 9:00-1:00 pm — The Garden, 11958 S Union Avenue
Bring your own bucket to this free compost giveaway
Visit our Tips & Tricks for local composting resources and email us at environment@lwvchicago.org for access to our next meeting.