Short Description
It’s that time again, International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is gearing up for another exciting year, and the 2026 theme selection process is in motion! The ICAW committee is hard at work choosing a theme that will inspire compost education and action across the globe.
The Compost Research & Education Foundation supports initiatives that enhance the stature and practices of the composting industry by supporting scientific research, increasing awareness, and educating practitioners and the public to advance environmentally and economically sustainable organics recycling.
The poster must include the following:
International Compost Awareness Week
May 3–9, 2026
Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us
The theme does not have to be below the date. You can use your creativity but please make sure everything can be easily read from a distance. Do not add additional words or numbers to your poster. Failure to follow these instructions will disqualify your poster
Judging and winner selection
All entries will be reviewed by the judges to get down to the top 15 between the two categories. A final vote will be made by CREF donors and volunteers and USCC members to pick the winning design.
- Grades 9 to 12
- College students and adults
The competition will be judged on the following criteria (40 points maximum):
- Marketability of poster to multiple audiences – 10 points.
- Creative and original artwork and idea – 10 points.
- Attractiveness in terms of design and neatness of layout – 10 points.
- Overall Impact, all graphics are related to the topic and make it easier to understand the poster theme – 10 points.
Eligibility
- Entries will be eliminated if requirements are not followed exactly.
- Only One Entry Per Person
- Size is 12” wide X 18” vertical (this is in inches)
- Resolution is 300 dpi in jpg format
- Poster contains the theme name: Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us
- Poster contains the words: International Compost Awareness Week
- Poster contains the date: May 3–9, 2026
- Do not add additional words to your poster. Only the theme and International Compost Awareness Week and May 3–9, 2026 are allowed. Any changes to those words or additions will automatically eliminate your entry.
- If you have a photograph as part of your poster, please confirm that either you took the photo or you have obtained legal rights to use the photo.
- Important to know before you start your design, posters cannot be an AI generated design. Any AI designed posters will be eliminated.
- Entries are limited to ONE SUBMISSION PER ARTIST.
- You must complete the online entry form application and checklist, and submit your poster online. Please include a short paragraph on why you
How to Apply
Online Application
Program Benefits & Awards
The overall winner will receive a $500 prize.
Entry Fee
None
Location
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Timeline
- Application Deadline: 14 November 2025
Website Link: https://compostfoundation.org/icaw-poster-contest/
