Litter affects the health and safety of humans and wildlife, is visually unpleasant and sends a message that no one cares. Once it reaches our waterways, it transports chemical pollutants, threatens aquatic life, and interferes with river, marine and coastal environments.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s  Pick Up Pennsylvania Program can help you make a difference in your own community. Pick Up Pennsylvania is a statewide cleanup program that supports the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

Cleanups registered with the program receive free trash bags, gloves and safety vests provided by the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, Keep America Beautiful, GLAD Products Company and the Ocean Conservancy, as supplies last.

The goal is to keep litter from reaching our oceans. Land-based cleanups, in addition to waterway cleanups, are encouraged since a significant portion of waterway pollution originates on land. Individuals, families, neighbors, students, civic organizations and local governments are all invited to participate.

This year’s program runs through November 30.

With an estimated 502 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roadways, according to the Pennsylvania Litter Research Study conducted by the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, there is plenty to go around.

“Picking up litter, even if it’s not currently in or near the water, helps keep it from ending up there. I encourage everyone to take advantage of the great fall weather. It’s the perfect time to organize or participate in a litter sweep, before the leaves drop and camouflage the litter,” explained Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “It’s something that everybody can do. It’s a great feeling and the results are immediate.”

The group suggests doing a cleanup either solo or with household family members and encourages adhering to the recommendations for social distancing. All that is needed is a trash bag, gloves and bright colored clothing, if you are cleaning up near a roadway.

To host or join a cleanup event near you visit the Pick Up Pennsylvania Program webpage. Questions can be answered by Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator, at 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.   

Current 2020 Pick Up Pennsylvania supporters include: Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania funded by the NiSource Charitable Foundation, Coca-Cola, The GIANT Company, Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association, Sheetz, Wawa, Weis Markets, Mahantango Enterprises, Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, Wegmans Food Markets, Giant Eagle, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Luminant, a subsidiary of Vistra Corporation and Republic Services.

If you are interested in becoming a Keep Pennsylvannia Beautiful program supporter contact Barb Christner at 724-836-4121 or bchristner@keeppabeautiful.org. 

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.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

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[Posted: October 13, 2020]

10/19/2020