Litter and trash along Pennsylvania’s roadways is not only unsightly, it can also be dangerous. Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has offered adoption programs for local residents, organizations, civic groups, and businesses to be part of the solution.

The adoption program is an opportunity to adopt and keep clean municipal roads, parks, neighborhood blocks, greenways, waterways and trails in their own backyard. 

The United Steel Workers District 10 L #412 / NextGen from the Dixie Pant located in Easton, Northampton County did exactly that. For two years, they have been making it their mission to keep Kuebler Road in Forks Township free and clear of trash.

“When we first started, we collected over a hundred pounds of trash in just 0.6 miles. That’s just unreal, especially since it isn’t a highway or thoroughfare area. But as we’ve been cleaning up, we’ve noticed now that the other businesses in the area are starting to be more proactive and are helping by maintaining their areas,” said Brad Buffalo, a spokesperson from USW District 10 L #412 / NextGen. “We work at the Dixie Plant and we’re proud to take care of the area around which we work.”

Adopting and caring for roads and areas creates a cleaner, more pleasant environment for everyone who lives, works, shops and enjoys recreational activities in and around those areas. The program also strengthens community ties as neighbors and merchants work together to keep their neighborhoods clean.

Buffalo explains, “There is a certain comfort and pride in being able to drive down the road in which you work and not see litter, cans, bottles, etc., just laying all over the roadside or in the lawns of businesses. To know that people have watched you clean their area, and in turn have taken up the act of being proactive themselves is a welcome sight. Also, you can learn a lot about the people you do the cleanup with, just by striking up conversations that you might not normally have time for.”

According to Keep America Beautiful’s 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study, litter clean-up costs the U.S. more than an estimated $11.5 billion each year with municipalities spending more than $790 million and counties spending $185 million each year. 

The Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful adoption program helps mitigate the costs associated with cleaning up by encouraging local residents to take ownership of communities.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful provides a sign recognizing the groups or individuals who have adopted the road or area and seeks the support of the local municipalities to provide the sign post, install the sign and provide trash disposal options as needed.

Forks Township provides the ‘Road Work Crew’ signs to alert motorists of roadway activity while the United Steel Workers volunteers clean Kuebler Road. The Township also allows the group to use their bins to dispose of trash and recyclables collected during cleanups. 

“We are so grateful that groups like the United Steel Workers from the Dixie Plant and the Forks Township supervisors and road crew see the value in keeping our communities clean and beautiful. The benefits of removing roadside litter are broad. It sends a message to travelers that littering will not be tolerated, removes dangers to people, animals and maintenance equipment, makes our communities more attractive for residents, tourists and potential newcomers and increases property values and community pride. It really benefits everyone,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “It’s a great way to give back to your community.”

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.

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[Posted: July 17, 2019]

7/22/2019