Now that summer is upon us with more relaxed schedules, grab your cameras and mobile devices and photograph the worst or most unusual examples of litter in your Pennsylvania community.

To focus attention on the litter problem across the state, the Pennsylvania Resources Council is continuing to accept entries in its annual Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest, with a deadline of October 31, 2022.

Our motto--exposure leads to prevention!

In the student category (through 12th Grade), three prizes are awarded with the first-place winner receiving $500, second-place $250 and third-place $100. The same prizes are awarded in an adult category.

Entries should help bring awareness to how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets or wildlife.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: anti-litter message, originality, photographic technique, quality of photo, originality of title and severity of the litter.

Contestants are also encouraged to safely initiate a clean-up of the subject area and provide a photo of the results of your efforts for additional judging points.

Entries (limit five per person, no smaller than 4x6 and no larger than 8x10) should be sent to PRC Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Contest, 1671 North Providence Road, Media, PA 19063.

High resolution digital submissions may be sent to lensonlitter@prc.org.

All entries (including digital) must include the entrant’s name, address, telephone number, email address, title given to photo, location of litter site and how you learned about the contest.

Students should also include age, grade and name of school. Photos submitted without all required information will be disqualified.

All photos may be used by PRC at their discretion.

Questions may be directed to lensonlitter@prc.org  and additional information, as well as previous winners, can be found at the Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest webpage.

Individuals, organizations or businesses interested in helping to sponsor this anti-litter program, please contact lensonlitter@prc.org.  

Program sponsors currently include Carolyn Capaldi, Robert & Mary Capaldi & Sheetz Inc.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.  Click Here to support their work.

PRC is Pennsylvania’s oldest grassroots environmental organization founded in 1939.  PRC has worked to protect resources for future generations through environmental education, recycling, waste diversion programs, anti-litter campaigns and other initiatives.

(Photo: 2021 first-place student winner titled “Rachel Carson’s Dream” By  Zoe Broyles, Pittsburgh, 16, 11th-grade student at Fox Chapel Area High School.)

[Posted: June 20, 2022]

6/27/2022