Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful's Pick Up Pennsylvania Community Cleanup Initiative continues in full swing through May 31, offering help to volunteers interested in litter cleanups and beautification projects.

This annual initiative offers registered participants free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests provided by support from the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT and Keep America Beautiful, as supplies last.

Events can include litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups, community greening and beautification, special collections and public education events.

Events must be registered at the Pick Up Pennsylvania webpage to receive free cleanup supplies.

As part of this event, the Department of Environmental Protection and PA Waste Industries Association are sponsoring trash disposal, free of charge or at a reduced rate, for registered program participants at participating landfills from April 1 through April 30, with prior approval.

Each year, volunteers remove an average of 7 million pounds of trash and tires from our roads, waterways, parks, trails and other shared public spaces, through this initiative.

Nancy Krablin, from Downingtown, is participating in Pick Up Pennsylvania for the first time this year.

“I have been watching the trash accumulate along this stretch of Route 100 for several years and felt like the best way to get something done is to just do it.  I contacted Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and they responded immediately. The staff was fabulous! They made it easy for me to attack this cleanup,” said Krablin.

Krablin, who gets help from her husband and a friend, has picked up 40 bags of trash so far this spring with plans to continue.

“I have about 10 hours invested and another three or four might complete the task. There’s a little bit of everything out there, plastic bags, drink cups, plastic bottles, Styrofoam, tarps, you name it. I have always been a recycler, composter, Girl Scout and lover of nature, so it’s natural for me to want to clean up my community,” said Krablin.

“Cleanup activity is ramping up across the state. We are honored to support the efforts of groups and individuals, like Nancy, who are working hard to improve their communities. After the year we just had, many folks are eager to get outside and make a difference. Picking up litter, planting a tree or painting a park bench are simple, easy activities that most people can do and the results are immediate,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “We are thankful for our sponsors and all the volunteers who participate each year and make it all possible.”

2021 participants are encouraged to observe the most recent social distancing guidelines and are encouraged to clean up in small groups, with family members or solo.

To host an event, join an event near you or to inquire about free supplies and trash disposal, visit the Pick Up Pennsylvania webpage or contact Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator, at 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.  

Video Contest

Anyone participating in Pick Up Pennsylvania can earn cash prizes for their nonprofit or charity of choice by entering the Pick Up Pennsylvania Video Contest.

Send Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful a 60-second video of your event showing how you keep Pennsylvania beautiful. Your event must be registered with Pick Up Pennsylvania to participate.

For details, visit the Pick Up Pennsylvania Video Contest webpage.

Supporters

Current 2021 Pick Up Pennsylvania supporters include: Columbia Gas of PA funded by the NiSource Charitable Foundation, The Giant Company, Coca-Cola, PA Waste Industries Association, Wawa, Giant Eagle, Luminent - Fayette Energy Facility, Mahantango Enterprises, Inc., PA Food Merchants Association, Republic Services and Wegmans.

If you are interested in becoming a supporter of the 2021 Pick Up Pennsylvania initiative contact Shannon Reiter at 724-836-4121 or sreiter@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.

Related Articles:

-- Westmoreland County Scrap Tire Recycling Event Set For April 10

-- Westmoreland Cleanways & Recycling Holds Household Hazardous Waste Collection Events April 17, June 26, October 23

-- City Of Pittsburgh, PA Resources Council Partner On Webinar Series On How To Recycle Right With New Blue Bin Recycling Program

-- Help Wanted: Westmoreland Cleanways & Recycling Executive Director

[Posted: March 18, 2021]

3/22/2021