PA Resources Council Encourages Litter Cleanups As Part Of Entries To 2026 Lens On Litter Photo Contest

“The Earth is Not Your Garbage Can” - “Together We Can Stop Litter” - “Don’t Be Trashy” - “It’s Easy Being Green” - ”There is no Planet B” - “Don’t Trash our Future” - “PA Fights Dirty” - These are just a few of the slogans used to encourage people to not litter.

Do your part for litter awareness by participating in the 2026 Pennsylvania Resources Council’s Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest.  The deadline for submissions is October 31.

Use your camera or mobile device to identify the worst or most unusual examples of litter in your Pennsylvania community for a chance to win up to $500! 

The contest is open to amateur photographers only and entries should help bring awareness to how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets or wildlife. 

Entries are judged on six criteria: anti-litter message, originality, photographic technique, quality of photo, originality of title and severity of the litter.

Contestants may enter in one of four groups-- Students (through Grade 12), Adults, Before & After Students (through Grade 12) and Before & After Adults. 

Each group will be awarded a first-place prize of $500, second-place $250 and third-place $100. 

To qualify for the new Before & After categories, sponsored by Keep PA Beautiful, clean-up efforts must be registered with Keep PA Beautiful’s Pick-Up PA Program. 

Use the online entry form and find additional details, past winners, sponsors and simplified instructions for registering a clean-up with Keep PA Beautiful. 

Questions may be directed to lensonlitter@prc.org. Entries may also be sent to: PRC Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Contest, 1521 North Providence Road, Media, PA or emailed to: lensonlitter@prc.org. 

Entries are limited to five per person, should be no smaller than 4x6 and no larger than 8x10 and must include the entrant’s name, address, telephone number, email address, title given to photo, location of litter site and how you learned about the contest. 

Students must also include age, grade and name of school. 

Photos submitted without all required information will be disqualified. All photos may be used by PRC and Keep PA Beautiful at their discretion.

Sponsors

The Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Photo Contest sponsors-to-date include Carolyn Capaldi, Robert & Mary Capaldi, Keep PA Beautiful, Sheetz, Inc. and Wegmans.

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.  Click Here to support their work.

(Photos: 2025 Winners - Row 1-- Student Winner - Jacob Valente, Laurel Highlands High School; Adult Winner - Joanne Tyzenhouse, York County; Row 2- Before & After Winner - Pam Loss, York County.)

[Posted: August 10, 2026]  PA Environment Digest