Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Fayette County affiliate formed in 1995 by a group of local volunteers, with support from the Fayette County Recycling Office.

They had a vision of a clean and beautiful Fayette County and worked tirelessly as PA CleanWays of Fayette County to complete their objectives.

Over the past three decades, PA CleanWays of Fayette County forged partnerships with groups, agencies, and individuals, including; the Fayette County Solid Waste and Recycling Department, Fayette County Conservation District, Penn State Extension Office, Penn State University, Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, township supervisors, high school students, civic groups, watershed groups, recreation groups, and local citizens creating personal relationships that have been the force behind successful community events.

This extensive network of volunteers began systematically cleaning up one illegal dumpsite at a time, tackling some of the biggest and most recognizable “legacy” sites, including Lover’s Leap.

From that site alone, volunteers hauled over 160,000 pounds of trash and 1,100 tires up the hillside and disposed of it properly.

All told, the volunteer group coordinated upwards of 60 illegal dump cleanups, resulting in the removal of over 1.5 million pounds of trash and 8,525 tires from the Fayette County landscape.

Not to be forgotten are the countless road cleanups completed by the concerned Fayette County volunteers.

Almost three decades later, the group is still active and all volunteer, until recently. With continued support from the County Recycling Office, the affiliate responsibilities will migrate to a shared staffed position.

Sheila Shea, County Recycling Coordinator and Stormwater Manager, will assume the day-to-day operations and continue to build on the many successes that came before. The group’s new name will be Keep Fayette County Green to encompass the wide variety of events and programs that the affiliate offers.

Two long-time volunteers, Carl Williams and Warren Hughes, were instrumental in the formation of the affiliate and its success.

"I'm happy with the transition to the County Solid Waste and Recycling Department. The affiliate has collaborated with them in the past and has always shared a good working relationship. I’m hopeful that they will use our historical knowledge and experience to expand the affiliate. We will still be involved and available to advise when needed,” said Hughes, volunteer and former PA CleanWays of Fayette County Affiliate Coordinator.

Williams, who also served as Affiliate Coordinator prior to Hughes, agreed, “We have already worked with Sheila on special collections and recycling events - she’s a go getter and very competent. We are always willing to work with them in an advisory capacity.”

“I’m honored that Carl and Warren asked me to continue their efforts through the county. For them to think so highly of our program is extremely humbling. This transition will be a major undertaking, but we’re ready for the challenge and excited to get started. We thank Carl, Warren and all the PA CleanWays volunteers for their invaluable work and dedication to helping us keep Fayette County green. We hope they’ll join us as we start the next phase of this journey,” said Shea.

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is grateful to Carl Williams, Warren Hughes and others that were instrumental to our mission in Fayette County and is thrilled that the County Recycling office will continue to build on the great foundation that was paved by these local volunteers over the past three decades. We are grateful to Sheila and the County for seeing the value in continuing the Affiliate and providing the tools and resources that residents need to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

For Keep Fayette County Green events and programs, and for the Fayette County Recycling Convenience Center hours, visit the County’s Solid Waste Recycling-Stormwater webpage.  You can reach Sheila Shea at sshea@fayettepa.org or 724-430-4884.

For more information about Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s local affiliates, visit keeppabeautiful.org and choose Affiliate Network.

To inquire about starting an affiliate, contact Kylie McCutcheon at kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org or 724-836-4121 x114.

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.

The 2022 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative will be held through May 31.  Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

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

NewsClips:

-- MCall: Earth Day: Your Guide To Events, Cleanups In Lehigh Valley Area

-- WHYY: Tree-Plantings And Trash Walks: Earth Day 2022 In Philly

-- The Allegheny Front: Repelled By Trash, They Rappelled To Pick It Up At Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington Landmark

Related Articles:

-- PA Resources Council Announces 4 Traveling Glass Recycling Bin Locations In Allegheny, Mercer Counties During May

-- PA Resources Council Hosts Household Chemical Collection Events In Allegheny, Cambria Counties During May

-- Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful: Communities Celebrate Earth Day By Joining Pick Up Pennsylvania

[Posted: April 21, 2022]

4/25/2022