The PA Resources Council announced the winners of the 2016 Lens On Litter Photo Contest designed to call the public’s attention to community litter and illegal dumping problems.

This year’s contest was sponsored by Sheetz, Inc., Wegmans, Close the Loop and Sustainable Solutions Corp.

Student Winners

In the “student” category, the winner of the $1,000 First Place cash prize was Vincent Cavallero of Newtown Square, a 15 year old 10th grade student from Newtown Square, Delaware County.  (Photo)  Vincent’s photo titled “Nature is no Cup Holder” shows cups and bottles in and around a decaying tree stump along the Darlington Trail. 

The judges awarded the Second Place prize of $500 to Andrew Yenchick, an 11 year old 6th grade student from Holy Family Academy in Hazleton. (Andrew was also a 3rd place student winner in 2015!)  His photo titled “Extra! Extra! Read All About it…Littering is Bad News” depicts litter strewn alongside a newspaper vending machine. 

The Third Place prize of $250 was won by Hannah Chop, a 15 year old 10th grade student from Canon-McMillan High School in Canonsburg, Washington County.  Hannah’s photo titled “Off Key Site” shows sheet music and other debris in Munhall.  (Hannah was also a 2nd place student winner in 2015 and a 3rd place student winner in 2014!)

Adult Winners

The winner of the $1,000 First Place cash prize in the “adult” category was Patrick Duffey of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County.  His photo titled “Rail Against Refuse” shows litter accumulated along a Troy Hill Road rail station.

Will McKeown was awarded the Second Place prize of $500 for his photo titled “Get On Track-Stop Littering” depicting cans and bottles along a railroad track on the Darlington Trail. 

The judges awarded the Third Place prize of $250 to Tim Price of Hazleton, Luzerne County.  His photo titled “Party Pit” shows cans and bottles strewn near a dilapidated stone building in Nescopeck Township.

2017 Contest          

PRC encourages students and adults to enter the 2017 Lens on Litter Contest, which is already open for entries and closes October 31, 2017. 

Photos help to heighten litter consciousness by showing how it threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets and wildlife.  With more entries, more people will become aware of the problem of litter and the more likely it is that we will all live in a litter-free world!

Click Here for more information about the contest and how to submit your photos for next year!

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.

[Posted Dec. 28, 2016]

1/2/2017