From Kitchen Scraps to Campus Impact: Student Helps Grow Pine Lake Compost Project
A sustainability initiative at Hartwick College is expanding following a successful pilot, with plans to grow participation and deepen hands-on environmental education through the Pine Lake Compost Project 2.0.
The initiative, a collaboration between Pine Lake and the Office of Wellness & Health Promotion, invites members of the campus community to compost organic waste while supporting long-term sustainability efforts. Over the past year, the project has diverted approximately 1,800 pounds of waste from landfills.
Abi DeMan ’26, a triple major in anthropology, philosophy, and environmental studies and sustainability, serves as the first Pine Lake Compost Steward, a newly created student position responsible for collecting compost from campus, transporting it to Pine Lake and maintaining the system. DeMan also supports education and outreach efforts tied to the program.
“I grew up composting at home and working with my mom in the garden,” DeMan said. “Being at school hasn’t given me many opportunities to continue this practice until this past summer, when I heard about the new program.”
DeMan said the experience has provided hands-on opportunities to engage in sustainability work while contributing to the campus community.
“I hope to see more programs like composting and stronger recycling initiatives at Hartwick as an alum, and I am grateful for special opportunities like this one that I have been afforded during my time here.”
Abi DeMan ’26
Anthropology, Philosophy, and Environmental Studies and Sustainability Triple major
