Keep PA Beautiful Encourages Communities To Join Adoption Programs To Keep Them Litter Free

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invites communities, local residents, organizations, civic groups, and businesses to participate in KPB’s Adoption Program to keep municipal roads, communities, parks, neighborhood blocks, greenways, waterways and trails litter free.

There is no fee to participate and groups must agree to make safety a top priority, schedule two cleanups per year and report results to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful after each cleanup.  Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will seek support from the local property maintainer/owner before proceeding with an adoption.

The program was developed to mirror the Department of Transportation’s Adopt a Highway Program with the goal of reducing roadside litter on municipal roads, but the benefits go beyond esthetics. The volunteers have reported a sense of pride and community involvement, meeting new neighbors and helping the community.  

“It’s awesome to get out in the community and talk to neighbors along the way. It’s great just to give back!” explained John Beidler from USW Local 10-00086 Next Generation.

The union adopted South Broad Street, Sumneytown Pike, West Point Pike and Garfield Avenue in Montgomery County in 2014. West Point Pike is a County road; the other three belong to Upper Gwynedd Township. Both entities support the adoption.

“Many communities depend on volunteers to clean up litter. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful works hand in hand with local municipalities and counties to provide residents with the tools and resources they need to keep our communities clean and beautiful,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep PA Beautiful. “Our adoption program helps mitigate the costs associated with cleaning up and encourages partnerships between local residents and municipalities. It’s a win-win.”

According to Keep America Beautiful’s 2009 National Visible Litter Survey and Litter Cost Study, litter clean-up costs the U.S. more than an estimated $11.5 billion each year with municipalities spending more than $790 million and counties spending $185 million each year.  

Click Here for more information or contact Stephanie Larson by sending email to: slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or 724-836-4121 x104.

For information about adopting a state maintained road, visit the Department of Transportation Adopt a Highway Program webpage.

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

Also visit the Illegal Dump Free PA website for more ideas on how to clean up communities and keep them clean and KPB’s Electronics Waste website.