Volunteers Remove 91 Tons Of Trash In 24 Cleanups Across 3 Counties

The PA Environmental Council organized volunteers to conduct 24 illegal dumpsite cleanups in Potter, Susquehanna and Wayne counties resulting in the removal of over 91 tons of trash.

With 20 organizations and seven municipalities partnering with PEC on these cleanups, 11 of the 24 illegal dumpsites were impacting waterways, with trash found in and/or on the shores of a waterway.

A total of 177 volunteers cleaned up 23 of the sites, while one site that was deemed unsafe for volunteers was cleaned up by a contractor hired by PEC. Volunteers worked over 800 hours in various elements from snow, rain, and warm weather to get the job done.

With over 91 tons of trash were removed and taken to landfills, and more than 13 tons of scrap metal and 1,098 tires were recycled as a part of the clean up projects.

In-kind donations were received from our partners, Keep America Beautiful and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, while local donations were received from the Department of Transportation, Keystone Landfill, Herr’s Distributor, Pepsi Bottling Company, and Utz Distribution Center.

Potter County

PEC’s ongoing partnership with the Potter County Conservation District resulted in the cleanup of ten sites.  As a result, 2.8 tons of trash, 60 pounds of scrap metal, and 141 tires were removed by 41 volunteers working a total of 146 hours.

Volunteers came from the LEEK Hunting and Mountain Preserve, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, VFW Post 6611, Potter County Conservation District, and Potter County Probation Office and Work Release Program.

Participating municipalities included the Coudersport Borough and Oswayo Borough.

Susquehanna County

Eight sites were cleaned up in Susquehanna County as  91 volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 89, Friends of Starrucca Creek, Girl Scout Troop 50215, NEPA Rail-Trail Council, Southwestern Energy Marcellus Volunteer Council, the Armitage Foundation and the Roaring Run Hunting Camp worked 576 hours to clean up seven sites.  

One site was determined to be unsuitable for volunteers so PEC hired JS Wright Excavation — through a competitive bid process — to clean up the site.

In total, nearly 84 tons of trash was removed from these eight sites and taken to a landfill, while 11 tons of scrap metal and 810 tires were recycled.

Harmony Township, South Gibson Township, and the Susquehanna Depot Borough partnered with PEC on these cleanups by providing various types of support and/or services.

Wayne County

Six sites were cleaned up in Wayne County and each were cleaned up through volunteer efforts. With 45 volunteers logging 160 total hours, nearly five tons of trash was removed and 1.7 tons of scrap metal and 147 tires were recycled.

Participating organizations included the Friends of Starrucca Creek, Bucks Cove Rod & Gun Club, Shady Lane Porch Party Friends, and the Beach Lake Fishing and Hunting Club.  

PEC’s partners in the cleanup included Aldenville Log & Lumber, Wayne County Probation Office, Wayne County Work Release, Canaan Township, and Clinton Township.

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