PennDOT Issues Guidance As Adopt-A-Highway Litter Cleanup, Beautification Activities Resume

On July 9, the Department of Transportation announced guidance for groups looking to beautify their communities as its Adopt-A-Highway activities resume across the state, including mask wearing, social distancing and frequent hand sanitizing.

These activities were suspended as part of Pennsylvania’s efforts to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. 

“As Pennsylvania reopening efforts continue, these vital volunteer clean-up activities will resume,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “I am grateful to the thousands of volunteers and encourage their continued vigilance to protect their health and the health of others while helping to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.”  

PennDOT’s AAH volunteer coordinators have received guidance to help ensure continued virus mitigation as the groups’ important volunteer cleanup activities continue. 

In continued preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19, volunteers must adhere to all Centers for Disease Control and the state Department of Health guidelines while carrying out AAH activities, including social distancing, wearing masks by individuals, washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer whenever appropriate. 

As always, PennDOT will provide volunteer groups with safety vests, trash bags, work gloves, and other equipment as requested by their PennDOT AAH coordinator. 

For safety, the Pennsylvania State Police will be notified of all scheduled events and PennDOT will pick up bagged litter from the roadside. 

Local Adoption

While AAH cleanups will commence on state-maintained highways, areas that are non-state maintained can be cleaned and adopted through Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.  Read more here.

Pollinator/Beautification Initiatives

As part of its Roadway Beautification Programs, PennDOT also has the related volunteer Keystone Pollinator Habitat and Adopt and Beautiful initiatives. Read more here.

To join an existing AAH team or start your own, visit PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway and Roadway Beautification webpages.

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.

The  2020 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative is postponed until September 1 through November 30.  Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. 

[Posted: July 8, 2020]  PA Environment Digest