Organizer Information
The Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) was incorporated on June 9, 1992 in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), and is affiliated with the United States Composting Council (USCC) as a separate entity with its own financials and funding. CREF supports initiatives that enhance the composting industry by funding scientific research, increasing public awareness, and educating practitioners and the public to advance environmentally and economically sustainable organics recycling. Over the years the Foundation has developed the Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost (TMECC) and helped create the Compost Operations Training Course (COTC), and it manages and runs International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) in the United States each year, held during the first week of May.
Title & Description
2027 International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) Poster Contest
This is CREF's annual poster design contest tied to International Compost Awareness Week. Entrants design an original poster promoting the year's ICAW theme and the benefits of compost. The winning design is reproduced and distributed nationally, with the Compost Research & Education Foundation's logo and sponsor logos added below the winning image.
Theme
The concept and imagery of the poster should be based on the benefits of compost, in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure. The poster must incorporate the 2027 theme slogan "All Paths Lead to Compost!", along with the words "International Compost Awareness Week" and the date "May 2–8, 2027." Judges will especially look for images demonstrating that organic materials are key to healthy soils and to keeping soils and the environment healthy in the future.
Categories
- Poster
- Graphic
- Illustration
- Environment
- Art
Eligibility
- Open to entrants worldwide; no nationality restriction stated in the source
- Only one entry per person
- The poster contest is for high school students, college students, and adults; a separate Bookmark Contest (not covered by this call) is for children in Grades K–9
- Posters cannot be AI-generated designs; any AI-designed poster will be eliminated
- Only original artwork will be considered
- If a photograph is used, the entrant must confirm they took the photo or hold legal rights to use it; if any person appears in the poster, a signed release form is required (signed by a parent or guardian if the subject is under 18)
- Posters containing personal or corporate information, product endorsements, or copyrighted/trademarked products, packaging, brand names, or advertisements will be disqualified
Program Benefits & Awards
- Overall winner receives a $500 prize
- Winning poster is reproduced and distributed nationally during International Compost Awareness Week
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 November 2027
- International Compost Awareness Week: May 2–8, 2027
Location
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Additional Details
- All entries are reviewed by judges to narrow the field to the top 15 across two contest categories (poster and bookmark); a final vote by CREF donors, volunteers, and USCC members selects the winning design
- Judging criteria (40 points maximum): marketability of the poster to multiple audiences (10 points), creative and original artwork/idea (10 points), attractiveness of design and layout (10 points), overall impact and topical relevance of graphics (10 points)
- The ICAW Committee reserves the right to alter the final poster design or reject all submissions
- All submissions become the property of the Compost Research & Education Foundation and may be used for commercial purposes; no entries will be returned
- The poster winner will be asked to resubmit the design at higher resolution for reproduction purposes
- Misspelled words or incorrect numbers will disqualify the poster; requirements are enforced exactly as stated