Earlier this year, a group of environmentally-conscious Storm King School students, better known as the Green Team, joined the greater Cornwall community in a “dirty” initiative that benefits everyone–composting! Led by rising SKS senior Andrea L. ’25 and other members of the National Honor Society (NHS), the Green Team took composting to heart as part of their Earth Day efforts.
Q: What inspired you to pursue composting on behalf of the School and why is it important for you?
Andrea L. ’25
Andrea: “Composting helps reduce our environmental footprint by diverting organic waste from landfills, cutting down on methane emissions–a potent greenhouse gas. Composting is appealing to me as it enriches soil with essential nutrients, promoting healthier plant growth. Additionally, composting supports biodiversity by creating a healthy ecosystem for microorganisms, insects, and worms, ultimately benefiting the broader environment.”
Q: How did you get involved?
Andrea: “Mrs. Shrem, our faculty leader, helped us organize the composting initiative. We began planning a month before Earth Day and contacted the Cornwall Garden Club’s compost crew located at Donahue Farm. We created several posters to raise awareness on campus and spoke with Chef Andy and the kitchen staff, asking them to help us save all the food scraps and separate them in designated bins.
On our first trip, we learned how composting works. It was fascinating and the experience motivated us to continue composting every week. As a result of our efforts, Storm King has become an official member of the Garden Compost Crew at Donahue Farm.”
Q: How much composting material did we collect and how much compost was produced?
Andrea: “On our very first trip, we diverted 42.3 lbs. of food scraps from the landfill, translating to 3.24 days of energy consumption for a single household. This impressive start inspired us to keep going. By the end of the school year, we composted nearly 200 lbs. of food scraps, which equates to saving 12.96 days of energy consumption for one household.
Our plan is to keep this momentum going and achieve even greater results in the coming year. We are committed to expanding our composting activities, reducing waste, and contributing to a more sustainable future. Together, I hope we can make a significant difference and inspire others to join us!”
Q: How did you feel seeing the success of the project over time?
Andrea: “I feel incredibly happy and proud that we are making a positive impact on the planet. I am grateful to the Cornwall-on-Hudson community for their support and for using the soil we produced. This collaborative effort has shown the power of community and dedication in making a positive environmental impact. This journey has taught me so much, revealing how a simple action can lead to significant change.”
