ST. LOUIS, Mo. – For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts have led the way in championing environmental issues throughout history. From conserving our natural resources to protecting the environment, Girl Scouts strive to leave the world a better place than they found it. During the week of September 19, as communities celebrate Recycle Awareness Week, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri recognizes extraordinary Girl Scouts who took action to promote recycling in their communities and earned their Bronze and Silver Awards.
Adelaide White, a freshman from Webster Groves, reduced the amount of plastic in landfills to help the environment and her community prosper to earn her Girl Scout Silver Award. After her school, Hixson Middle School, expanded its outdoor area, White recognized the need for additional seating in the new courtyard. So, White created a sustainable and environmentally friendly bench. White began by organizing a collection drive for plastic bottle caps. She then partnered with ABC Plastics to turn the recycled caps into a bench.
“I wanted to pursue the Silver Award because I knew the courtyard at my school needed more seating and it would help me prepare for earning the Gold Award,” said Adelaide.
Emily Brown, Briella Cummins, Brooklyn Cummins and Avery Sullentrup, fifth graders from Washington, Mo., organized and hosted a recycling event in their community to teach their peers the importance of protecting the environment. These young leaders began by researching recycling and creating a newsletter to share how people can recycle and reuse in their area. The newsletter was shared with friends and family and handed out at their event. During the event, the girls presented facts about common household waste, such as plastic bags and diapers, and their impact, and suggestions for attendees to limit their waste. The girls also showed their participants how they could reuse items to make toys and donate them to local animal shelters.
“It feels good to earn the Bronze Award because in the process I got to help the environment and other people. We got to teach people about helping the environment and spend time with our troop,” said Brooklyn.
“I was able to show others how to do a better job of recycling and educate them on reasons why it is important to reduce waste in landfills,” said Avery.
We’re Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscoutsem.org.