As it launches the Pennsylvania segment of 2019 Great American Cleanup, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has revealed that last year nearly 130,00 volunteers removed more than 7.2 million pounds of trash from Pennsylvania’s roads, shorelines and trails.
They also collected and recycled more than 2.3 million pounds of electronics waste, and recycled or disposed of 43,352 tires.
The 2018 tally brought the totals for Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful-led programs since 1990 to more than 141 million pounds of trash removed from the landscape, more than 8.7 million pounds of electronics collected and recycled, nearly a million tires disposed of and nearly 190,000 miles of roadway cleared by nearly 2.5 million volunteers.
The effort also includes tree and flower plantings, murals and painting of community structures, rain gardens, outdoor classroom construction, and educational events.
“Countless neighborhoods have been improved because of the dedicated service of volunteers who participate in our programs, such as the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, International Coastal Cleanup and our adoption program for local roads and areas,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
The organization has county- or municipality-based affiliates in 39 counties across the state that work with program partners, local governments, organizations and volunteers to coordinate initiatives in their 3 program areas of Prevent It, Clean It and Keep It.
To find a nearby affiliate, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Affiliate Directory.
The 2019 statewide cleanup is under way through May 31. To find an event, visit the organization’s event calendar.