The Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest, a program of the Pennsylvania Resources Council, is an annual statewide photography contest rewarding amateur photographers who snap unusual or eye-catching images of litter across the Commonwealth.

The purpose is not to glorify litter, but to bring awareness to how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment and wildlife.

Monetary prizes up to $500 are awarded in two categories—Students and Adults. Further details, an online entry form and past winners can be found online and questions may be directed to lensonlitter@prc.org.

Pick Up PA Program

For the past few years, extra judging points have been awarded to those entrants who conduct a clean-up of the photographed area and provide photographic evidence of their work.

To assist in these efforts and to encourage additional clean-ups, PRC promotes Keep PA Beautiful’s Pick Up PA Program for resources and supplies.

Registered clean-up events are eligible for FREE work gloves, safety vests and trash bags courtesy of PennDOT and DEP while supplies last from March 1 through May 31.  Events can be registered in the summer (June 1-August 31), but are not eligible for free supplies at this time.

Please be aware of the additional safety concerns for summer events in PA like ticks, snakes, vegetation, and poison ivy.

March 1 Webinar

Also, a free Community Cleanup Training Webinar is being offered on March 1st from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Registration is required and additional program information is available online.

Individuals, groups, businesses or organizations with an interest in litter prevention that would like to help sponsor the Lens on Litter contest, please contact us at lensonlitter@prc.org (Anti-Litter Champion $1,000; Anti-Litter Advocate $500; Anti-Litter Supporter $250; Anti-Litterbug $100). Current sponsors-to-date include The Capaldi Family and 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, watershed and other initiatives.

(Photo: First Place Student Winner "Nature Show” by Madeline Whited of Lancaster.)

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