Compost Awareness

International Compost Awareness Week 2025

Sunday 4 May to Saturday 10 May 2025

International Compost Awareness Week is celebrated every year on an International basis in May to raise awareness to the benefits of composting and to encourage people to compost wherever they are in the world!

Residents from the Newry, Mourne and Down area can celebrate Compost Awareness Week by getting involved with the Council’s FREE Compost Giveaway.

Green fingered residents can collect one bag of compost at the ‘giveaway’ events on Tuesday 6 or Wednesday 7 May at any of our 10 Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s).

The compost is distributed on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS, with ONE BAG PER VEHICLE so get there early to avoid disappointment.

Supplied by Natural World Products, the compost is made from garden waste recycled at the HRC’S and the contents of the brown bin collected from Newry, Mourne and Down households. In the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area in 2023 over 20,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste was converted to compost.

For information on Household Recycling Centre Opening Times click here

For more information on how to Recycle Food Waste click here

What is Compost?

Compost is made from organic material like food scraps and garden waste. It is mixed into soil to help plants grow strong and healthy — without using chemical fertilisers or pesticides.

To make compost, simply collect food scraps and garden waste that you would normally throw away. Then let them break down naturally.

Did you know that almost 30% of household waste is food and garden waste? Most of it ends up in landfills, where it takes up space and releases methane, a harmful gas. Composting turns this waste into something useful instead.

Composting is good for the environment, helps you save money, and is an easy DIY project for anyone to try.

Benefits of Composting

1. Promotes Recycling
Composting stops up to 30% of household waste from going to landfill. It’s also a great way to teach children about caring for the environment and getting involved at home. Best of all, turning food waste into compost helps you grow more fresh food.

2. Creates Nutrient-Rich Soil
Compost makes soil healthier. It helps plants grow, prevents some diseases, keeps pests away, and holds moisture in the soil. It also adds important nutrients like nitrogen and carbon, which help plants grow and stay strong.

3. Encourages Good Microorganisms
Composting produces helpful microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. These tiny organisms break down food and garden waste and help create humus — a nutrient-rich material that feeds your plants.

4. Reduces the Need for Chemicals
Because compost naturally improves soil, you don’t need to use chemical fertilisers.This means your home-grown food can be healthier and chemical-free.

5. Cuts Methane Emissions
When food waste goes to landfill, it breaks down slowly and releases methane, a gas that harms the environment. By composting, you keep food waste out of landfills and help reduce air pollution.