Girl Scout starts recycling program

Nicole Updegrove got tired of seeing aluminum cans and plastic bottles stuffed into trash cans when she played soccer at Edmonds Sports Complex.

She has a project she hopes will eventually stop waste there and at all Carson City parks.

The 15-year-old Carson High School sophomore decided to start a recycling program at the sports complex for her final Girl Scout project.

She will put out 12 recycling bins Saturday made from green trash cans to stop the waste and littering she's seen since she first played soccer there when she was 5-years-old.

"I thought starting there would be nice," she said.

Updegrove hopes to earn the highest honor in Girl Scouts, the Gold Award, with the project. This is equivalent to the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts.

She said she's enjoyed camping, sewing and building projects since she joined the Girl Scouts at age 7.

"It helps you become more aware of a lot of other stuff and you can do lots of fun things," she said.

The Carson City Parks and Recreation Department hasn't had recycling bins at Edmonds Sports Complex or other parks before because of the work it would take, said Scott Fahrenbruch, parks operations director.

Parks workers will have to empty the bins and separate the trash people throw into them, he said.

But Fahrenbruch said Updegrove's project will stay at the sports complex and maybe even spread to other parks if disposal doesn't take too long and people put the right trash in the right bins.

"This weekend will be a good test to see how it works," he said.

YOU CAN HELP

Updegrove is looking for businesses to sponsor the 12 recycling bins for $35 each. The business' name or logo will go on the bin. Call Updegrove at 884-2010 for more information. The money will go to offset the costs to purchase the trash cans.

Carson High sophomore Nicole Updegrove is looking for businesses to sponsor the 12 recycling bins for $35 each. The business' name or logo will go on the bin. Call Updegrove at 884-2010 for more information. The money will go to offset the cost to purchase the trash cans.