Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Thursday reported 158,821 volunteers participated in the 2016 Great American Cleanup of PA, cleaning up trash or beautifying their communities in more than 6,000 events across Pennsylvania.

Participation this year increased by 30,664 volunteers over the 2015 cleanup.

Organized groups, civic organizations, families and friends took to Pennsylvania parks, trails, and streets to reclaim communities by picking up 5 million pounds of trash and planting 15,465 flowers, bulbs and other plants in an effort to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.

As in years past, all 67 counties participated in this annual community improvement event which is held from March 1 through May 31.

In addition, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful was able to attract $16 million in in-kind donations and support – money saved or costs avoided due to the generous donations of supplies, services and volunteer work.

“We are so grateful for the ongoing support of our sponsors, Business Council members, volunteers, local municipalities and local businesses,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Without these partnerships and the tireless work of the volunteers the Great American Cleanup of PA would not be possible.”

This annual event is held in conjunction with Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup and in partnership with support from the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, Weis Markets, Inc., Wawa, Inc., Sheetz, ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer.

Additional 2016 event supporters included: Steel Recycling Institute, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Giant Eagle Inc., Giant Food Stores, Inc., Republic Services, Wegmans Food Markets and Clean Earth.

The Great American Cleanup of PA is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful.  The 2016 national sponsors were Lowe’s, Glad, Dow, Altria and BNSF.

A copy of the 2016 Great American Cleanup of PA final report is available online.

2017 Great American Cleanup Of PA

Registration for the 2017 Great American Cleanup of PA will open in January.  During this period, events registered through www.gacofpa.org will receive free bags, gloves, and vests from PennDOT District offices, as supplies last. 

As part of this event, the Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association will sponsor Let’s Pick It Up PA – Everyday. Dates have not yet been announced. 

During the Pick It Up PA Days, registered events will be able to take the trash collected during their cleanup to participating landfills for free or reduced cost disposal.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel.

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s new Electronics Waste website.

(Photo: The Southside cleanup crew in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.)

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10/10/2016