Still Time To Make A Difference: Join Keep PA Beautiful's Pick Up Pennsylvania Litter Cleanup

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania program is in full swing, now through November 30. The fall cleanup program is held in support of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup.

 Individuals or groups who register with the program can receive free bags and gloves, provided by the Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT and the Ocean Conservancy, as supplies last. Events must be registered to receive the free supplies.

Both waterway and land-based cleanups are eligible for the program since a significant portion of waterway pollution originates on land. Wind and rain wash litter into storm drains or directly into creeks and rivers that eventually flow to the ocean where it impacts marine life, human health and coastal economies.

The Crawford County-based French Creek Valley Conservancy participates in Pick Up Pennsylvania in tandem with their annual cleanup. Each year, hundreds of volunteers participate in what has become the largest day of stewardship in the watershed. This year, 38,875 pounds of trash was collected and 250 trees were planted.

“In 1992, a small group of volunteers with a love of French Creek, joined forces to clean trash from a small section of creek and enjoy a potluck meal together. Thirty years later, hundreds of volunteers clean miles of French Creek, its tributaries, lakes and waterways and conserved land during our annual cleanup. Thank you, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, for being a part of French Creek conservation and helping with cleanup supplies. Because of you, protecting the watershed for future generations is possible,” French Creek Valley Conservancy.  

“There’s still time to plan a cleanup or other community improvement through our Pick Up Pennsylvania program. We are honored to support the efforts of groups, like the French Creek Valley Conservancy. You can help by cleaning up in and around your neighborhood! Grab a bag and collect litter from the side of the road, your local park, fields and sidewalks before it finds its way into a storm drain or waterway. Large or small, every action makes a difference.” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “It is the commitment of the volunteers that helps keep our communities clean and beautiful.”

Pick Up Pennsylvania is a year-long program to encourage Pennsylvania residents to care for the places they love by picking up litter and organizing other community improvements. Free cleanup supplies are offered in the spring and fall.  

Anyone wishing to participate can visit KPB’s Pick Up Pennsylvania webpage through November 30 to register a cleanup. For technical assistance, contact Michelle Dunn at mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org or 877-772-3673. 

Participants are encouraged to observe the most recent local, state and federal guidelines and/or restrictions to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  

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.

Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.

(Photo: French Creek Valley Conservancy volunteers load trash collected during a recent cleanup.)

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[Posted: November 10, 2022]  PA Environment Digest