At OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), we are proud to support initiatives that promote environmental sustainability within our community. Bella Coveyou, a dedicated Girl Scout from San Juan Capistrano, has taken on an inspiring mission to spread the word about the free compost and mulch. Through her Gold Award project, Bella is helping increase awareness in her community of this valuable resource. Her efforts not only help reduce waste but also promote greener landscaping practices. Read below to learn more about Bella’s inspiring work.
Bella Coveyou
Hi, I’m Bella Coveyou! I’m a junior in high school, a resident of San Juan Capistrano, and a Girl Scout working on my Gold Award. I’m excited to share my environmental sustainability project and its potential impact on our community.
My love for horses started when I was just three years old with my first pony ride at Irvine Regional Park. A field trip to Rawhide Ranch in third grade gave me the chance to ride horses, and my passion only grew from there. Over the past three years, my relationship with my horse, Aviator, has deepened my love for both riding and the environment. Through this connection, I realized that horse manure can actually be a valuable resource for compost. Inspired by Aviator, I’m working to promote sustainable practices, using horse manure to improve soil and help reduce waste, all while doing my part to protect the environment for future generations.
As a 12-year Girl Scout veteran, I’ve been fortunate to combine my passions by tackling a unique challenge: recycling horse manure and green waste into compost for landscapers, gardeners, and homeowners. With support from OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), my Gold Award project aims to increase community access to these incredible free resources while promoting environmental sustainability.
From My Garden to Yours
This project began in my own backyard. My family’s landscaper, Pascual Gonzalez, was one of the first to benefit from OCWR’s compost program. After obtaining an open pass permit, Pascual began picking up compost weekly to nourish our garden’s fruit trees.
Pascual estimates he’ll collect 35 truckloads of compost and mulch this year—equivalent to 52 tons! His enthusiasm is a testament to how valuable this resource can be. If just 100 landscapers like Pascual join this effort, we could distribute over 5,000 tons of compost annually. That’s a huge step toward a greener, healthier Orange County.
How You Can Get Involved
If you’re inspired by this mission, here’s how you can make a difference:
- Landscapers: Sign up for an open pass by contacting OC Waste & Recycling at (714) 834-2158.
- Residents/Gardeners: Request compost deliveries from your landscaper or schedule a free compost pickup by visiting OCLandfills.com/compost.
- HOAs and Cities: Encourage the use of compost in shared spaces, medians, and city-maintained areas to promote sustainable landscaping.
- Community Leaders and Educators: Spread the word about OCWR’s compost program and its environmental benefits. Advocate for sustainable practices in schools, community organizations, and local events.
Girl Scouts: Consider taking on a Gold Award, Silver Award, or Bronze Award project focused on composting in your own community, or get involved with a Take Action project to raise awareness about recycling and composting.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
I’ve learned so much about leadership, teamwork, and the power of small actions to spark meaningful change. Thank you to everyone supporting my project, spreading the word about the events, or championing sustainable practices in our community. Together, we can make Orange County greener and healthier—one truckload of compost at a time.
Bella Coveyou
San Juan Capistrano Girl Scout Troop 3315
