Guyana has officially joined the global observance of International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) for the first time, with 39 families already stepping up to transform household waste into a valuable resource.
The initiative, led by Waste To Wealth Caribbean, was launched on Sunday at the National Park, where participating families committed to converting kitchen scraps and cardboard into Organic Miracle Garden Soil (O.M.G.S) within 12 weeks. The effort aims to shift households away from landfill disposal and toward sustainable waste management practices that generate value.
Founder of Waste To Wealth Caribbean, Rampertab Etwaria, used the occasion to outline an ambitious national goal: enrolling 1,000 families into what is being called the Waste To Wealth Champions Movement. The target is to reduce landfill waste by 25 percent by 2030, part of a broader long-term vision to reframe how citizens view waste.
The event, which formed part of the international observance held annually during the first full week of May, drew support from both public and private sector stakeholders. Representatives from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development highlighted the growing strain on landfill sites, noting that locations such as Haags Bosch and Lusignan receive between 1,500 and 3,500 tons of waste daily.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency also endorsed the programme, pointing to the added benefits of reusing plastic containers in composting systems, thereby reducing multiple waste streams at once. Georgetown Mayor Alfred Mentore signaled interest in incorporating composting solutions into municipal operations, including the use of organic materials like coconut shells to improve public spaces.
A key feature of the launch was hands-on training in the Waste To Wealth Caribbean T.E.C.H composting method—Thermophilic Easy Clean Home—which simplifies the process of turning organic waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Participants were guided through waste separation, layering techniques, aeration, and compost maturation, with an emphasis on making the system accessible to entire households, including children.
Early adopters shared their experiences, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. Some participants spoke about overcoming issues like moisture and pests, while others demonstrated how composting can be scaled into small business ventures.
By the end of the event, 20 families had received sponsored composting kits, while all participants were issued Certificates of Activation. With an additional seven households from a prior pilot programme, the initiative now has 46 active families contributing to its national goals.
All participants have been enrolled in the Waste To Wealth Composting Registry, which will provide ongoing support, training, and potential economic pathways. The registry is also seeking individuals interested in becoming trainers to help expand the programme across the country.
This year’s ICAW theme, “Compost: Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” underscores the global importance of composting in reducing methane emissions, improving soil health, and strengthening food systems. Guyana’s first observance signals a growing push toward environmental responsibility driven at the community level.
Organisers say the programme remains open to households, schools, businesses, and organisations interested in reducing waste and tapping into the economic potential of composting.
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