What Most People Still Get Wrong About Composting

You probably think you know what composting is—but most people only see the half of it. It’s not just food scraps, backyard bins, or community gardens anymore. Composting has evolved, and so has the conversation around it. It’s become a global tool for climate action, a growing part of product design, and an often overlooked piece of the circular economy puzzle.

That’s where International Compost Awareness Week comes in. It’s not just about encouraging people to compost—it’s about expanding what composting means. From the kinds of items that can be composted, to how businesses are designing for the soil instead of the landfill, the narrative is shifting—and we’re here for it.

This week, we’re unpacking the composting conversation: the misconceptions, the must-knows, and the surprising things that can go back to the earth, including the phone case in your hand.

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What Is International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW)?

International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. Celebrated annually during the first full week of May, ICAW aims to raise public awareness about the benefits of composting and the importance of using compost to create healthier soil. In 2025, ICAW takes place from May 4 to May 10 .

Established in 1995 by the U.S. Composting Council, ICAW has grown into a global event with participation from communities, schools, governments, and businesses worldwide. Each year, a new theme is selected to highlight different aspects of composting and its role in environmental sustainability.

The 2025 theme, “Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!”, emphasizes composting's vital role across various community scales—from individual backyard composters to large-scale municipal facilities. This theme underscores how composting contributes to sustainable resource management, supports healthy soils, and fosters resilient communities. It aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Throughout ICAW, numerous events and activities are organized to educate and engage the public. These include workshops, compost giveaways, educational seminars, and community composting initiatives. A notable feature of ICAW is the annual poster contest, which invites artists aged 14 and older from around the world to create designs that promote composting. The winning poster becomes a central visual for the year's campaign, helping to spread the message of composting's benefits .

How Can You Get Involved in International Compost Awareness Week?

You don’t need to be a master composter to participate in ICAW—just a bit of curiosity and a willingness to rethink what you throw away. Whether you're an individual, a business, or a community group, International Compost Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to take meaningful action and inspire others to do the same.

Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Start a conversation
  Share composting tips, common myths, or your own compost setup on social media. Use hashtags like #ICAW2025 and #CompostAwarenessWeek to join the global dialogue.
  
  

• Visit a composting facility
  Many local compost centers host tours, open houses, or compost giveaways during this week. It’s a great chance to learn what happens after your scraps leave the bin.
  
  

• Join or host a local event
  Look for workshops, composting demos, or neighborhood cleanups in your area—or organize your own to help raise awareness.
  
  

• Start composting at home or at work
  If you’ve been meaning to begin, this is your moment. Need a refresher? Check out our guide to Composting at Home: What You Need to Know to get started.
  
  

• Choose compostable products
  From packaging and utensils to your phone case (more on that shortly), choosing items designed to return to the earth supports a more sustainable system.
  
  

• Share what you learn
  Whether you’re talking to a neighbor, a coworker, or a classroom, education is a key part of making composting more accessible.

Composting may seem like a small act, but multiplied across communities, its impact is huge—and ICAW is the ideal time to take that first (or next) step.

Why Does Composting Still Deserve a Second Look?

Let’s face it—composting hasn’t always had the best reputation. For years, it was seen as messy, time-consuming, or only for people with backyards and patience. But that perception is outdated, and it’s time we rethink what composting really is—because today, it’s not only essential, it’s also easier than ever.

Here’s why composting deserves a fresh look in 2025:

• It’s more accessible than ever
  From curbside pickup programs to countertop compost bins, composting has gone mainstream. You don’t need a backyard or a farm to participate—there are solutions for apartments, offices, and entire cities.
  
  

• It’s not just about food scraps anymore
  Composting now includes certified compostable products like packaging, utensils, and even tech accessories. Composting has evolved into a key part of circular product design.
  
  

• It’s a powerful climate solution
  Organic waste in landfills releases methane—a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting diverts that waste and turns it into something regenerative: healthy, living soil.
  
  

• It’s a low-effort, high-impact habit
  Compared to recycling systems that are often confusing or broken, composting is straightforward. What once seemed like extra work is now as simple as a weekly bin or drop-off.
  
  

• It’s a mindset shift, not just a waste bin
  Composting is about rethinking how we define waste. It reminds us that nature already knows how to reuse, rebuild, and renew—we just need to follow its lead.

Today, composting fits modern life. It’s cleaner, smarter, and increasingly supported by brands, cities, and communities who are making it easier to take part. Whether you’re tossing scraps, switching to compostable products, or just learning more during ICAW, you’re helping shift the story—one that starts with dirt but ends in regeneration.

What Makes a Phone Case Truly Compostable? Let’s Break It Down.

As composting gains traction, more products are being labeled as “compostable”—including phone cases. But not all compostable claims are created equal. During International Compost Awareness Week, we’re digging into what makes a phone case actually belong in your compost pile—and how EcoBlvd’s phone case material choices help make that possible.

Our Laguna and Mojave eco-friendly phone case collections are designed with one goal: to return to the earth responsibly. They’re built with plant-based, plastic-free materials that break down safely in home composting environments, without leaving microplastics or toxins behind.

Here’s how:

InnoMaize™: A "Green" That Feeds the Cycle

Found in our Laguna cases, InnoMaize™ is made from cornstarch, sugar, and renewable plant-based biopolymers. In composting terms, it functions like a “green”—rich in nitrogen and easily broken down by microbes. With the right balance of moisture, oxygen, and carbon, it decomposes just like food scraps.

CornBo™: A “Brown” That Brings the Balance

Used in our Mojave cases, CornBo™ blends cornstarch and corn sugar with bamboo bark and fiber, creating a compostable material that acts as a “brown”—carbon-rich and structure-providing in the composting process. It’s strong enough for rugged protection, and natural enough to break down into healthy soil.

Why It Matters for Composting Awareness

Composting is evolving—and so is product design. During ICAW, it’s not just about composting more, it’s about choosing products that are made for that end-of-life journey. Composting doesn’t stop at the kitchen bin. It can (and should) influence what we buy, use, and eventually let go of.

At EcoBlvd, we’re proud to be part of a growing shift—making compostable materials that are more than just shelf-worthy. They’re soil-ready.

Conclusion:

Composting isn’t just about what we toss—it’s about what we value. During International Compost Awareness Week, we’re reminded that waste doesn’t have to be wasted. With the right systems, materials, and awareness, everyday items—from kitchen scraps to phone cases—can be returned to the earth and made useful again.

At EcoBlvd, composting isn’t an afterthought. It’s a starting point. We design with compost in mind because we believe sustainability should begin at the product level—not just end at disposal.

So whether you're starting a home compost bin, joining a community event, or rethinking the materials behind what you buy, you’re contributing to something bigger: a future that gives back as much as it takes.

Because regeneration isn’t just a process—it’s a mindset.