PRC Joins Not In Philly Neighborhood Cleanup Initiative In Philadelphia

The PA Resources Council recently partnered with the Not In Philly Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood Cleanup Program to do a pilot project in the Walnut Hill section of Philadelphia.

“PRC is excited to be a champion this innovative effort to fight the age-old problem of litter through new technology,” said PRC Eastern Regional Director Mario Cimino.

With help from the Code for Philly project and local tech firm Think Brownstone, the Not in Philly web app notinphilly.org  has been launched. The app is based on an interactive map that allows the user to select their own block for cleanup.

Once a resident has agreed to take responsibility for litter removal they are supplied with bags and, the already mentioned, quality grabber.

The Not in Philly approach is easy, cost effective, scalable, and sustainable--

-- Anyone can sign up and more than one person can claim a block (a shared effort will take less time);

-- Clean up can be done on the volunteer’s schedule (the person that claims the work is not bound to an organizational calendar);

-- Group efforts can be planned with a fun tie-in (litter crawl to your favorite brew pub, litter clean up/ neighborhood walking tour) and participants will be eligible for rewards donated by local businesses; and

-- Social media promotion of before and after pictures will inspire litter clean up competition.

This adopt-a–block web app may be a first.

“No other city has their blocks segmented and selectable. We see that since this website needs minimal staffing, it could easily be copied by other cities,” explains Not In Philly founder Dave Brindley.

For more information, visit the Not In Philly Adopt-A-Block Neighborhood Cleanup Program website.

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.