East Deer resident Julian Hazlet was tossing around ideas for an Eagle Scout project when his mother helped him realize the perfect one.

During walks with the dog, his mom would complain about having to walk back to the house with a bag of waste because there were no trash cans around. Other ideas had come to mind for Hazlet, but he realized installing trash cans in town was the way to go.

“I thought this was the best thing to do because it is my hometown and it would benefit the community to help keep trash out of the road,” said Hazlet, 18. “It would improve my community in some meaningful way.”

His plans expanded after presenting his idea to the East Deer Commissioners. Tony Taliani, chairman of commissioners, recommended Hazlet place trash cans along each bus stop on Freeport Road.

Hazlet ended up mapping out six trash cans: five along each bus stop and one by the Honor Roll Memorial between Crawford Runs Road and Freeport Road.

The project was a yearlong process for Hazlet, who came up with the idea in early 2021.

After the Eagle Scout Board approved the project, Hazlet ordered industrial-grade aluminum cans using the money have saved from his time in Scouts. He said there was a delay in their arrival because of the pandemic and aluminum shortage.

With the help of Boy Scout Troop 653, the cans were installed along the road. East Deer’s logo is painted on bolted plates on the front of each can. The task took two hours during a cold day in December.

“We were planning for it to be a nicer day, but it was not,” Hazlet said.

Taliani said he immediately thought the project was a good idea when he was told about it. He praised Hazlet for taking the initiative.

“The young man demonstrated a lot of good qualities, and I think that will ensure him to be successful in what he chooses to do moving forward,” he said.

Taliani said municipal works crews will maintain the trash cans.

After completing the project in December, Hazlet earned his Eagle Scout rank later that month.

Since installing the trash cans, he has seen some people stop in their cars to throw away trash in the cans.

“It makes me very happy that I made an impact,” he said.

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