PA CleanWays this week announced the newest chapter to the growing PA CleanWays network, PA CleanWays of Washington County.

Laurie Popeck will serve as the Chapter Coordinator. Ms. Popeck has volunteer experience in participating in clean ups and has an extensive work and educational background that will assist in her coordination of the chapter.

She is also a former Watershed Specialist for the Washington County Conservation District. Extensive support from the Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, the Washington County Planning Commission, the Chartiers Creek Watershed Association, the Washington County Watershed Alliance, along with the Washington County Conservation District, has helped to develop PA CleanWays of Washington County.

The chapter will be coordinating their first illegal dump cleanup this fall and is excited to work with local citizens, groups, organizations, businesses, and municipalities during their events.

PA CleanWays, a nonprofit organization based in Greensburg, Westmoreland County, has the mission of empowering people to eliminate illegal dumping and littering in Pennsylvania. PA CleanWays carries out their mission with the help of five affiliates and fifteen chapters across the state.

PA CleanWays, along with their affiliates and chapters, have done over 900 illegal dump cleanups and 525 special collection events. Additionally, PA CleanWays adoption groups have done hundreds of litter cleanups across the state.

This work couldn’t be possible without the efforts of PA CleanWays volunteers. Well over 40,000 volunteers have donated more than 194,000 hours of service to help clean the state of illegal dumps and litter.

The organization’s core programs revolve around illegal dump and litter cleanups, education, local road adoptions, beautification, and proper disposal of hard-to-recycle items. PACW representatives work with interested community members to bring waste haulers; landfill owners; recycling coordinators; municipal, county, and state government; businesses and corporations; environmental and civic volunteer organizations; concerned individuals, the media, and other interested parties together to plan and implement local cleanups.

They also actively seek volunteers who will continue to monitor and or adopt the sites after they are cleaned.

Individuals and groups interested in volunteering at the cleanup this fall can contact Ms. Popeck of PA CleanWays of Washington County by sending email to: washcopacw@gmail.com or call 724-836-4121.