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April 29, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Illinois Food Scrap & Composting Coalition (IFSCC), a non-profit corporation that advances diversion and composting of all organics in the state, is excited to announce its International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) 2024 programming. ICAW is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the global compost community. We are excited and honored to announce that this year, the Compost Research and Education Foundation has asked Illinois to be the kick-off for the entire global celebration!
The 2024 ICAW theme is Compost… Nature’s Climate Champion and the dates are Sunday, May 5 - Saturday, May 11. Since 2021, the IFSCC has planned robust ICAW programming that combines in-person and hands-on experiences with virtual discussions and presentations to reach diverse and widespread audiences at all stages of life and composting experience.
The 2024 line-up includes “Adventures in Composting” with farmers, gardeners, students, and backyard composters around the state; a virtual Compost Café featuring songs, stories and a variety of artforms for all ages; a virtual Legislative Lunch & Learn; and over 55 live opportunities on May 5 and 11 as well as throughout the week to attend library programs, museums, nature centers, farmer’s markets, municipal buildings, schools and many other sites for some very interesting, fun and unique events. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit sites ranging from an alpaca farm to a vineyard. There will be opportunities to pick up many other great resources, information and giveaways, including locally made compost, composting bins and accessories, plants, and seeds, along with other helpful information and fun demos, tours, and activities.
Merleanne Rampale, who is chairing the 2024 efforts, noted “On behalf of IFSCC, the ICAW Planning Team and all our host sites, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to launch these important efforts taking place around the globe, right here in Illinois. We want to bring attention not only to compost but all the many related topics and issues including food waste diversion, prevention, healthy soil, healthy food, hunger, and climate, which is the focus of this year’s theme.” Rampale is a long-time champion of the many benefits of composting and compost use. She started gardening and composting as a young girl, gives presentations and workshops on food waste reduction, diversion, recycling, and composting, and works with schools, municipalities, and many other organizations in her role at a Chicagoland solid waste management agency.
The IFSCC leadership team, present and past, is proud of its growth and accomplishments and enthusiastically plans to expand membership, increase participation, and continue its critical work. The coalition encourages all to step up, ask questions, share their expertise, and help contribute to the success of IFSCC, ICAW programming, and organics diversion and composting in Illinois. For registration and additional information visit www.illinoiscomposts.org/icaw-2024
CONTACT:
illinoiscomposts@gmail.com
Merleanne Rampale, IFSCC ICAW Chair
mrampale@swalco.org, 847-377-4954
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