Whether intentionally put there or blown from trash cans, dumpsters, shopping carts or cars, every community has pockets of unsightly trash.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has a program for local residents, organizations, civic groups, and businesses to be part of the solution.

Their statewide adoption program and PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway initiative are  opportunities for community residents to adopt and care for municipal roads, parks, neighborhood blocks, greenways, waterways and trails.

Litter clean ups can be expensive. PennDOT spends upwards of $13.9 million a year to pick up trash along its state-owned roads.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful partners with local municipalities to help mitigate the costs associated with cleaning up by encouraging local residents to take ownership of their 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.

Such is the partnership with Upper Mount Bethel Township in Northampton County. John Bermingham, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for the township believes the partnership is a win-win.

“When I approached Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful about supporting our Upper Mount Bethel Clean-Up Program, they were more than willing and thanked us for doing it.  They educated us on what to say to our volunteers and provided safety information about cleaning up roads that we did not think of ourselves,” said Bermingham.  “I encourage any municipality who wants to clean up their roads, to reach out to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful for assistance.  They are there to help train, educate and support any municipality who wants to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.”

“We are so grateful that municipalities like Upper Mount Bethel see the value in participating in our programs,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “The benefits of removing roadside litter are broad. It sends a message to travelers that littering and dumping 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.”

“With Keep Pennsylvania Beauriful’s support, we have a group of citizens of all ages taking pride in our Township. It brings our community together,” said Bermingham.  

Visit KPB’s Adoption Programs webpage for more information about adopting a municipal road, park, neighborhood block, greenway, waterway or trail or contact Stephanie Larson by sending email to: slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or 877-772-3673 x104.

Visit PennDOT’s Roadside Beautiful webpage and learn more about how you can get involved in anti-littering and cleanup activities, the Adopt a Highway, Adopt and Beautify and Pollinator Habitat Plan programs.

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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12/9/2019