On November 9, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful welcomed its newest local affiliates-- Keep Reading Beautiful and Keep Dauphin County Beautiful.

Keep Reading Beautiful will be a program of and housed in the City of Reading Public Works Department and Keep Dauphin County Beautiful will be a program of and housed in the Dauphin County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling.

To complete the affiliation process, each group conducted Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Community Assessment, which is done to gather data about the area served.

Keep Reading Beautiful’s service area is Reading City and Keep Dauphin County Beautiful services areas outside of Harrisburg, which has its own affiliate.

Data collected included: residents’ attitude about litter and community image, existing litter prevention programs, leaders of community and beautification efforts, existing waste and recycling policies, past and current community revitalization efforts and active volunteer groups.

The results of the Community Assessment were used to guide the development of a local plan to change attitudes and behaviors regarding litter, recycling, beautification and related issues.

As part of the partnership, affiliates have access to a statewide network of peer organizations, an affiliate awards program, annual affiliate grants, access to tools, resources and annual trainings, inclusion in statewide marketing efforts and brand affiliation in addition to on-going technical support.

“The City of Reading Public Works department is excited to formalize our relationship with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. This relationship opens our community partners to additional grant and fundraising opportunities, educational resources, and a network of mission aligned partners across our Commonwealth. The City of Reading Public Works Department and Keep Reading Beautiful are committed to fostering stewardship and supporting our resident’s efforts to promote a clean and beautiful Reading,” said Bethany Ayers Fisher, City of Reading Sustainability Manager.

“Keep Reading Beautiful and our affiliation with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful are an integral part of our programming and mission for a cleaner, more attractive and sustainable City of Reading.” said Steve Harrity, City of Reading Solid Waste and Recycling Manager. 

“Dauphin County joining as an Affiliate of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful means becoming a vital force in preserving our communities.  Together, we will empower communities, inspire positive change, and create a cleaner, more beautiful Dauphin County for generations to come,” said Kelly Megonnel, Director, Dauphin County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is grateful to the City of Reading Public Works and Dauphin County Solid Waste Management and Recycling Departments and the many individuals who believe in our mission and were instrumental in supporting the adoption of a local Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliate.  We hope to complement the existing programs and resources to make it even easier for residents to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

Among the affiliates’ strategic priorities are litter abatement, waste reduction, beautification and connecting with schools and volunteer groups to foster more environmental stewardship opportunities.

Ryan Bradley, Clean City Coordinator for the City of Reading Public Works, will serve as the coordinator for Keep Reading Beautiful and can be reached at 610-655-6591 or Ryan.Bradley@ReadingPA.gov. 

For events and programs, visit the Public Works of Reading Facebook page. 

Kelly Megonnel, Director of the Dauphin County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, will serve as the coordinator for Keep Dauphin County Beautiful. Megonnel can be reached at 717-780-6228 or kmegonnel@dauphincounty.gov. 

For programs and information visit the Department of Solid Waste and Recycling webpage.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful currently has 26 county and city-based affiliates that offer programs in 34 service areas.  To find an affiliate near you, visit KPB’s Affiliate Network webpage.

To inquire about starting an affiliate in your area, 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 sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel.

The 2023 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative will be held until November 30.  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:

-- The Center Square: Electronics Waste Recycling Struggles Drawing State’s Attention

-- CleanScapes Hosts Nov. 11 Electronics Waste Collection Event At Clinton Conservation District Office, 9:00 to Noon

-- WNEP: Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Friday, Saturday For PNC Field In Moosic, Lackawanna County

-- Protect PT, Three Rivers Waterkeeper File Appeal Of EPA Permit For Penneco Oil & Gas Injection Well Permit In Allegheny County

-- LancasterOnline: French Company To Build New Waste-To-Energy Landfill Gas Facility At Lanchester Landfill

Related Articles:

-- PA Resources Council To Host Free Statewide Recycling Webinar Nov. 15 To Celebrate America Recycles Day  [PaEN]

-- Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Welcomes 2 New Local Affiliates - Keep Reading Beautiful And Keep Dauphin County Beautiful  [PaEN]

[Posted: November 9, 2023]

11/13/2023