Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Wednesday announced 132,695 volunteers participated in 7,280 events focused on community greening, beautification and cleanups across the state as part of the 2017 Great American Cleanup of PA.

Organized groups, civic organizations, families and friends took to Pennsylvania parks, trails, and streets to reclaim communities by picking up over 5 million pounds of trash and planting 16,437 flowers, bulbs and other plants in an effort to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.

Participating organizations garnered $13 million in in-kind donations and support – money saved or costs avoided due to the generous donations of supplies, services and person-power.

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

“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.”

In 2017, this annual event was held in conjunction with Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup and in partnership with support from the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, PA Waste Industries Association, the PA Food Merchants Association, PA Beverage Association, Weis Markets, Inc., Wawa, Inc., Sheetz, ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer, Steel Recycling Institute, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Giant Eagle Inc., Giant Food Stores, Inc., Republic Services, Wegmans Food Markets and Clean Earth.

To inquire about becoming a 2018 Great American Cleanup of PA sponsor, contact the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful office at 724-836-4121.

Click Here to view the 2017 Great American Cleanup of PA final report. Click Here for a breakdown of stats by county to see how your county performed in 2017.

2018 Cleanup Registration

Registration for the 2018 Great American Cleanup of PA will open in January.  During this period, events registered online 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 PA Waste Industries Association will sponsor Let’s Pick It Up PA – Everyday from April 7th – 30th. 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.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to become a member.  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 Electronics Waste website.

[Posted: Dec. 13, 2017]

12/18/2017