Iona University’s Composting Initiative Cultivates a Greener Future on Campus
New Rochelle, N.Y. – At Iona University, a transformative composting initiative has taken root, promising not only to reduce food waste but also to foster a culture of sustainability among students.
The initiative blossomed from a 2021 student survey led by Drs. Christina Andruk and Nilofer Naqvi, associate professors of biology and psychology, respectively, as part of the Hynes Faculty Fellow program. The survey identified food waste as the number one concern among students. This feedback underscored the need for improved waste management and sustainability practices, leading to the launch of the composting initiative.
Composting has since expanded under the guidance of professors Andruk and Naqvi, engaging students through coursework and service grants that offer hands-on learning experiences and promote sustainable lifestyle choices.
“The composting initiative at Iona isn’t just about managing waste — it’s a movement towards a greener future,” noted professors Andruk and Naqvi. “By involving students, fostering collaboration and breaking misconceptions about composting, Iona is paving the way for other sustainable practices on campus.”
Key items that can be composted include grass clippings, leaves, coffee grounds and grains, while materials to avoid include oil, meat and plastics. Composting is often perceived as complicated, but that is a myth; with a designated space and a little patience, anyone can create a thriving compost pile to contribute to a green future.
The Facilities Department also provided the composting initiative with leaves, wood chips and tools, while Chartwells staff work closely to collect food scraps from Vitanza, the on-campus dining hall.
“We are immensely grateful to the Facilities Department at Iona, whose partnership has been crucial,” said Naqvi. “They provided the Montgomery House garage space, helped transport compostable materials and actively participated in our efforts by providing us with shovels and wheelbarrows.”
Building on the foundation laid by faculty and staff, student involvement is at the heart of the composting initiative. Many students have expressed that this has become an enjoyable and educational experience that teaches practical skills while cultivating environmental consciousness and community spirit.
Students get to mix, turn and sift through the material, gaining hands-on experience that connects them to the purpose of the initiative. The finished product, a dark crumbly substance, is essential for enhancing soil health, improving water retention and reducing the need for commercial fertilizers and pesticides.
Thus far, Iona has established three large, aerated compost bins and five smaller ones that reduce food waste and generate nutrient-rich soil for campus projects. Last semester, the compost students made was returned to the earth during a tree-planting event, demonstrating the tangible difference these efforts are making.
“Composting is nature’s way of recycling organic materials,” said lead volunteer and campus minister Alina Denaut ’26. “I first participated in composting for extra credit but found the process so interesting that I wanted to learn more and encourage others to join.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.