From tackling climate change to increasing food security,
water quality and strengthening biodiversity, one simple, thoughtful act delivers big, positive impacts – COMPOST!

May 4–10, 2025 marks this year’s International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) — a global celebration of compost and its power to build stronger, healthier, and more sustainable communities. “Composting organic residuals and creating compost is proven to tackle climate change, while also helping grow nutrient-dense food and support healthy soils,” said Tony Breton at Cré.  Add to this, it can also bring communities together, support local food systems and help achieve sustainability goals.

This year’s theme, “Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost!”, drives home a powerful truth that every banana peel, coffee ground and lawn clipping we compost instead of throwing them away delivers great environmental gains by:

1. Reducing Methane Emissions: Organic waste in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas with 86 times the global warming potential of CO? over 20 years. Diverting organic waste to composting or anaerobic digestion can drastically cut these emissions.
2. Keeping nutrients in circulation: There are many valuable nutrients in organic residuals which can be returned to our soils for further productive use through compost. These nutrients are not returned to soil if incinerated.
3. Increasing Soil Health: Compost produced from the recycling of organics residuals improves soil structure, enriches soil with nutrients, enhances water retention, minimizes soil erosion and strengthens biodiversity.
4. Fighting Climate Change: Compost’s return to the soil serves as a “carbon bank”, helping to store carbon thereby removing it from the atmosphere and mitigating climate change.
   Globally, composting is the heart of the circular economy. This positive action addresses the largest share of waste generated by Society as a whole, helping to:

• Recycle over 85 million tonnes of biowaste every year.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents a year through storing carbon in soil and offsetting fertilizer use (an equivalent to
  driving an average petrol/gas-powered car for 36 billion kilometers (23 billion miles); almost 95 thousand times the distance between the earth and the moon!).
• Naturally recycling over 1 million tonnes of plant macro nutrients, supporting improved productivity and farm profitability.

And yet, while all this good is well known, landfilling and incineration continue as the main ways to manage unavoidable organic residuals, wasting enormous potential to address global and local sustainability goals and stop climate change.

“Compost is more than waste management—it’s community transformation,” said Tony. “When we compost, we invest in more than soil—we invest in cleaner air, stronger communities, and a healthier planet for future generations. This impactful practice only takes us a few minutes each day. Through International Compost Awareness Week, compost advocates around the world are united in highlighting the immense potential of composting and compost for building sustainable communities.”

Ireland, October 8, 2024 – An unprecedented agreement has been reached between the fresh produce industry and composting organizations to accelerate the transition to certified compostable Price Look Up (PLU) stickers. This intent was reached at a first-ever worldwide meeting in Niagara Falls, Canada, on October 1st, with the discussions leading to the agreement to develop a multi-phase framework to support this transition through the development and adoption of a global standard for compostable PLUs. The planned transition to certified compostable PLUs in the European Union (EU) by 2028 provides the added momentum to accelerate a worldwide adoption to this collective goal. Additional meetings within the fresh produce and composting sectors are planned in the coming months to expand engagement and finalize the action plan by the end of 2024.
“Moving to a certified compostable format for PLUs is a priority for organics recycling facilities,” said Tony Breton Chair of Cré and member of the International Compost Alliance (ICA). “The current plasticized format is not compatible with producing quality compost nor can the stickers be easily removed during the organics recycling process and can result in the collected organics being sent to landfill or incineration, contributing to climate change and diminishing an important resource to build soil health. Because of the global sourcing network for produce, the members of the International Compost Alliance applaud the produce industry in recognizing the importance of this transition and its timeliness to ensure both our industries can positively contribute to food production and supply as well as take care of the health and well-being of our soils.
“CPMA is delighted to see the fresh produce and composting industries work together towards a global standard for compostable PLU stickers. Given PLUs are an integral part of global fresh produce supply chains, this global dialogue is a must”, said CPMA President Ron Lemaire. “Accelerating the adoption of compostable PLUs is a global priority given the risk that compostable PLU requirements will increasingly diverge from country to country. The coming together of fresh produce and composting industries will help reduce the burden on complex fresh produce supply chains, while also ensuring that food waste is increasingly recycled into value-added products.”
The meeting was jointly organized by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) and the Compost Council of Canada, with the support of the Government of Canada. In-person and virtual attendance included representatives of the fresh produce industry, including members of the International Federation of Produce Standards – IFPS (the International Fresh Produce Association, United Fresh New Zealand, CPMA, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada), Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA), as well as technical experts from leading global PLU manufacturers. The global compost industry was represented through the International Compost Alliance (ICA) with in-person representation from Australia, the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, the European Union and Canada. Government representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) were also in attendance.
The meeting provided a unique opportunity for the fresh produce industry and composting industry to better understand their respective positions on PLU stickers. This included the fresh produce industry outlining the critical role PLUs play in helping accurately and effectively identify fresh produce for enhanced traceability, inventory control and pricing at retail. The composting industry outlined the impacts of discarded PLU stickers accompanying fresh produce waste sent to organics recycling, including consumer-sourced, commercial and business organic waste sources. Given most PLU stickers are currently non-compostable and difficult to remove, physically contaminating the organics recycling process and adversely impacting the finished compost quality and value, the meeting provided a strategic opportunity to identify a way forward which recognizes each industry’s respective priorities.
Through open and collaborative dialogue, industry representatives acknowledged the need to accelerate the development and adoption of certified compostable PLUs. Given the global nature of fresh produce supply chains, and the potential regional variability of industrial composting processing requirements, industry representatives acknowledged the benefit of working together to develop and adopt a single global standard for compostable PLU stickers that is compatible with compost standards around the world. It was also recognized that these efforts could help promote the increased recycling of organic materials, helping contribute to the reduction of food loss and waste.
Outcomes of the meeting included identifying a draft framework to move forward, including the draft elements of a global compostable PLU standard, comprised of compositional as well as in-field testing requirements. A draft multi-phased roadmap towards timely and global adoption of a standard that reflects the evolving global regulatory landscape was also identified.
Next steps include broader engagement of industry representatives with their respective regional and global counterparts to disseminate the meeting’s key findings. This will include broader engagement with fresh produce stakeholders in the EU and other key markets where PLU requirements are rapidly evolving. A Compostable PLU Standard Action Plan will be developed and launched by industry stakeholders before the end of 2024, leading to actions to promote and accelerate the development and adoption of certified compostable PLUs starting in 2025.

visit www.creconference.ie for details

National Food Waste Recycling Week which runs from the 30^th May until the 6^th June 2022 is a new national campaign from MyWaste.ie to encourage people to recycle their food waste.

A previous study by the Environmental Protection Agency found that approximately 50% of household organic waste was being disposed of in the wrong bins. By segregating food waste correctly, it can be transformed into renewable energy and bio-fertilisers for horticulture and agricultural use.

Minister Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy said: “National Food Waste Recycling Week is a wonderful opportunity to create awareness of how important it is that we recycle our food waste, so that it can be put to further crucial use as fuel and bio-fertiliser for example.

Food waste is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, adding to climate change. The best way to address this is to try to cut down on food waste in the first place. But it is inevitable that there will almost always be food matter left over in homes and businesses so recycling it means that it does not just go to landfills, it becomes a useful resource instead, contributing positively to the growth of Ireland’s bio-economy.”

The campaign is based on research into why there may be some barriers to recycling food waste and will provide useful tips and advice on how people can start to recycle more of their food waste, thereby increasing understanding and awareness of the role that people can play in Ireland’s broader circular and green economy. It is being managed by Ireland’s three regional waste management planning offices*. The campaign is funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Throughout the week, events will be held nationwide, supported by local authorities, the Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland (Cré) and the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA).  One of the highlight events will be an exhibition at this year’s Bloom Festival, which takes place over the extended June Bank Holiday weekend.

The National Food Waste Recycling Week Exhibition tent hosted by My Waste.ie will give people the chance to see first-hand how food waste recycling works, with a number of interactive exhibits. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate how easily food can be recycled and to answer questions people might have.  Special guests include: Anja Murray, ecologist and presenter of RTE’s Eco Eye; Marie Staunton, Gardener and Conor Spacey, Culinary Director @FoodSpace who is also involved in the Chefs Manifesto working towards Strategic Development Goal 2 (Sustainable Solutions to End Hunger) with the UN and World Food Programme.

Pauline McDonogh, Waste Prevention Coordinator, Southern Waste Region said: “We would like to thank the people that are currently recycling their food waste. We hope this new national campaign will encourage more people to recycle food waste. “We have undertaken research into the barriers against food waste recycling and these learnings have underpinned this campaign. By providing practical tools and understanding we want to show people what can be put into their food waste recycling bin, the importance of separating waste food from its packaging, and the reasons why doing so is good for the Irish environment.” she continued.

People are encouraged to check locally for information on one of the many events happenings nationwide and receive one of 15,000 food waste caddies, each with a starter pack of caddy liners and an information leaflet which are being distributed throughout the week-long campaign.

Press Release (15.12.2021)

Ireland has potential to avoid emissions from 44,000 cars by using compost to store carbon in soils

Today, Cré launches a report on the contribution of compost to soil carbon sequestration. Cré believes that soil carbon sequestration is one of the critical paths to achieve net-zero emission.

The Cré report is timely as the European Commission is expected to publish a policy document on its carbon farming initiative today, which aiming to increase carbon sequestration and boost the income of farmers, along with providing an environmental benefit.

Furthermore, based on the current scientific evidence, Cré believes that compost plays a leading role in optimising soil carbon sequestration and improving soil health. Research has demonstrated that 60–150 kg of CO₂ equivalent is sequestered in the soil for every tonne of compost applied.

By organically recycling the hundreds of thousands of tonnes food and garden waste generated by households and businesses every years in Ireland to produce high quality compost the resulting benefits for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions savings are to equivalent to taking 44,000 cars off the road every year.

Julian Beatty, Cré Carbon Task Group Leader, said: “As a nation built on agriculture, we recognise the importance of soil health. There is a presumption our soils are healthy, but unfortunately, not just in Ireland but globally, soils are being depleted at a frightening rate, and we must act now. By recycling all our organic waste back to soil in the form of high-quality compost, we will not only improve soil health but, as this report shows, will sequester carbon, so essential for our climate goals. I want to thank everyone who helped put this report together and urge policymakers and stakeholders to read it and engage with Cré on its call to action.”

Within the report, Cré outlines a number of recommendations to maximise the potential of organic recycling of food and garden waste in the context of carbon sequestration and soil health

CRÉ’S CALL TO ACTION:

• In line with scientific evidence, Cré is recommending valorising the role of compost in soil carbon sequestration.
• The Government should incentivise agriculture (livestock, tillage and horticulture) to improve soil carbon sequestration and farmers to trade carbon credits.
• There is a need to incentivise an increase in the quality and quantity of biowaste collected and processed to increase the supply of good quality compost available to the market.
• There are currently no comprehensive field trials in Ireland using organic ameliorant (e.g. composted green/ biowaste) that examine carbon sequestration in soil. Fields trials should be established
• Cré supports any action that recognises the value of carbon sequestration in mitigating climate change and progress to net zero.

The report was prepared by the Cré Carbon Task Group: Dr Brian Murphy (Enrich), Percy Foster (Cré), Karen Mahon (OCAE) and Julian Beatty (Nova-Q).

ENDS

Executive Summary

Main Report

Contact:

Percy Foster, CEO

Cré – Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Association of Ireland

T: 0868129260

E: percy@cre.ie

Cré Online Festival 2021

21, 22 & 23  September

 | 3-5pm Each Day

The Future is Now

see www.creconference.ie

This year the annual Cré Conference (21st, 22nd, 23rd September) will again be hosted as an online event of 2-hour sessions each day. Enabling you the flexibility to pick the sessions that interest you most. 

We welcome members of the Compost Council of Canada who will be with us throughout. Join us as we listen to esteemed local and international speakers discussing topical issues and sharing their insights.  Virtual tours are included for what is promising to be a very interesting conference. 

Sessions are recorded and will be available afterwards for replay to all who register for the event.