Australia gets its own composting week

International Composting Awareness Week (ICAW) is being held for the first time in Australia from 7-13 May.

Centre for Organic & Resource Enterprises (CORE) is encouraging all organisations involved in composting across the country to be part of this international event. Composting facilities, community gardens, not-for-profit organisations or schools are being invited to hold an event related to composting and the benefits of compost during the week.

Composting has many benefits for the environment. Aside from the common sense benefits of recovering a valuable resource, compost has proven benefits as an additive to soils and other growing media. Some of the benefits of compost are to improve the soil structure, increase the moisture holding capacity of porous soils and improve the permeability of heavy soils, reduce weed emergence, reduce erosion and contribute to controlling the negative effects of degraded landscapes.

The theme for Australia's composting week is "Compost"¦.the possibilities are endless!' The international theme is "Add power to your flowers"¦.Compost!'

The week's official launch will be at ENVIRO2006 in Melbourne.