Groups and individuals are cleaning up across the world as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Pennsylvanian’s can do their part to keep trash out of our oceans by participating in Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania Program.

From September 1 through November 30, Pick Up Pennsylvania supports the International Coastal Cleanup by providing trash bags, gloves, and safety vests, as supplies last, to Pennsylvania volunteers who want to help keep litter from reaching our waterways.

Both waterway and land-based cleanups are eligible for the program since a significant portion of waterway pollution originates on land.

Wind and rain wash litter into storm drains or directly into creeks and rivers that eventually flow to the ocean where it impacts marine life, human health, and coastal economies.

Events must be registered with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to receive supplies.

To register visit KPB’s Pick Up Pennsylvania Program webpage.

Just Some Of The Cleanups Happening

Listed below are just a few of the Pick Up Pennsylvania events scheduled in support of the International Cleanup.

If you would like to join an event below or one listed on the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Calendar of Events, please contact the coordinator to confirm participation.

-- ShipShape (D.O.I.T.) Shippensburg Area Merchants and Local Residents - Sept. 9 from 8:30AM - 9:30AM. Click Here to Register, to keep Shippensburg clean and beautiful. Contact Danielle Humphrey at danielle@humphreyclean.com  or 717-402-6500.

-- Beach Cleanup, Neshaminy State Park - Sept. 9 from 9:00AM - 4:00PM at the River Trail Tree planting site (GPS pin). Contact Jared Freddo volunteer@excelevents.org  or 215-469-6076.

-- Climb and Clean, Birdsboro Area Climbers Association, Birdsboro Area Rock Quarry - Sept. 9 from 9:00AM - 5:00PM. Trash pickup and graffiti removal. Contact Lynda Pedersen at verticalmomx3@mindless.com  or 570-807-5267.

-- 2023 International Coastal Cleanup, Erie - Sept. 16 from 8:00AM - 9:00AM. Various locations in Erie County. All are welcome. Contact Keep Erie County Beautiful/Erie County Planning Department, Sarah Finegood, sfinegood@eriecountypa.gov  or 814- 451-7326.

-- Tidings of Peace Trash-A-Thon - Sat, Sept. 16 at 8:00AM - 12:00PM. Tidings of Peace Christian School, 220 North Eberts Lane, York, PA 17403. Contact Tyler Burkholder, tburkholder@tidingsofpeace.org  or 717-843-4562. 

56,820 Volunteers Strong

This spring, 56,820 volunteers participated in the Pick Up Pennsylvania, supporting the Great American Cleanup.

Over 2.4 million pounds of trash and recyclables and 21,510 tires were removed from Pennsylvania roads, trails and waterways and 5,613 trees, flowers and other greens were planted.

“We want to thank each and every volunteer who helped make our spring initiative successful. We are counting on the generosity of Pennsylvanians to roll up their sleeves again this fall to pick up trash before it makes its way to our waterways. Organizations, civic groups, schools, individuals, friends, and family can organize a cleanup of their favorite waterway, park, trail or other place they care about. We can all make a difference!” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

Free trash bags, gloves and safety vests are provided by the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT and the Ocean Conservancy, as supplies last. Events must be registered to receive the free supplies.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel.

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

[Posted: September 7, 2023]

9/11/2023