Compost Australia’s 2009 Industry Leadership Awards will be announced at the Compost Ball in Orange. This year, the Compost Industry Leadership Awards ceremony and Compost Ball are the official launch of International Composting Awareness Week 2009 (ICAW).

The awards – judged by an independent panel of public and private sector professionals – are designed to recognise leadership and innovation within the recycled organics industry and are open to nominations for public and private sector organisations.

Judging is based on the merit of nominees' achievements as described on the Industry Awards Nomination Form. Nominees are encouraged to submit additional information to support their nomination. Completed nominations must be sent to Compost Australia before Friday 1^st May.

The Industry Awards categories are: Leadership in the Recycled Organics Industry (Major Award) Most improved contamination management in source separated organics Most innovative organics recovery contract Most innovative use of compost in local government operations Most progressive recycled organics purchasing policy program Leadership in compost community education Most innovative recycled organics product design (for a specific application) The winners will be announced on the awards night.

The NSW Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Verity Firth presents an award for Most innovative organics recovery contract to the MacArthur group of councils, represented by Deputy Mayor, Mollie Thomas, Miles Lockhead from Wingecarribee Council and Paul MacDonald from Campbelltown Council.