MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Zoe Mueller is only 13, but she's already on a mission to promote environmental awareness.
- Zoe Mueller of Mount Dora promotes eco-friendly plastic alternatives
- She had stickers made for downtown businesses who made switch
- Mayor presented the Girl Scout with silver pin for her efforts
Zoe wants people to choose paper instead of plastic bags — and, on a whole, eco-friendly alternatives such as reusable, biodegradable or paper options.
To help push the movement, Zoe teamed up with the Mount Dora's Waste Management department to get window stickers made for local businesses who make the switch.
The idea of paper over plastic is not a new one, but why did it strike such a chord with this 13-year-old?
"It was hard to believe how much there is," said Zoe, on world pollution.
The young Girl Scout learned all about pollution in her troop meetings.
"We can't really get back what we have lost, so if we continue doing what we are doing, we are ruining everything that we have," she says.
But this project became such a powerful passion that she made an extreme choice for a kid.
"This year I left my old school to be home-schooled so I have more time for this program," Zoe said.
Since then, she had addressed the Mount Dora City Council and local business owners at a variety of meetings.
"As of tomorrow, we will be using only paper bags," said one business owner to her after her presentation.
"Awesome. That is great. I will bring one to you," Zoe replied.
Her town was so inspired, they made sure her efforts didn't go unrewarded. The mayor held a special ceremony to award her the Girl Scout silver pin.
While getting the silver pin is a huge honor for a Girl Scout, it's other people "going green" that truly makes Zoe happy.
"The sticker is wonderful, and I think it is going to really encourage all the other businesses to really get rid of their bags and get environmental friendly options," said Kate Bellamy of the British pub Magical Meat Boutique.