HARRISBURG, PA — As spring unfolds across Pennsylvania, state agencies are rallying residents, local leaders, businesses, and organizations to revitalize their communities through the “Pick Up Pennsylvania” campaign. This initiative, running now through May 31, aims not only to beautify neighborhoods but also to foster a collective sense of responsibility towards the environment.
Supported by the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Transportation (PennDOT), along with Keep America Beautiful, the campaign offers free supplies including trash bags, gloves, and safety vests to registered events, while supplies last. These events span a range of activities from litter cleanups and illegal dump site clearances to community greening, beautification projects, and educational initiatives aimed at preventing litter.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, emphasized the significant impact that even small actions can have on improving community living standards. “Litter detracts from our quality of life and hampers economic development,” Reiter noted. “By coming together for these cleanup efforts, we can effect substantial change in just a few hours.”
The financial implications of litter for the state are nontrivial. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll pointed out that the department allocates approximately $14 million annually to road cleanup efforts—a sum that could otherwise support road maintenance and improvements. The Adopt-A-Highway program, involving volunteers who maintain cleanliness along state highways, is a critical component of these efforts, demonstrating the value and necessity of volunteer engagement in preserving Pennsylvania’s natural beauty.
Last year’s Pick Up Pennsylvania campaign mobilized over 71,000 volunteers who collected more than 2.9 million pounds of trash and beautified roads and waterways over 8,462 miles. The initiative also saw the planting of over 8,000 trees and flowers, showcasing the power of community involvement in environmental stewardship.
Jessica Shirley, DEP Interim Acting Secretary, echoed the call to action, urging Pennsylvanians to participate in the cleanup efforts. “Our state’s scenic beauty is a treasure that all should enjoy without the blight of litter,” Shirley stated. “Through DEP and PennDOT’s leadership and the commitment of thousands of volunteers, we can sustain the natural allure of our landscapes.”
Pick Up Pennsylvania is part of the broader “PA Fights Dirty” initiative, which seeks to address litter prevention and cleanup comprehensively. This campaign represents an ongoing effort to engage communities in sustainable practices that not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the state but also contribute to its environmental health.
In encouraging widespread participation, state agencies underscore the collective responsibility of Pennsylvanians to safeguard their environment. As the campaign progresses, the hope is that more individuals and groups will join the cause, bolstering efforts to maintain Pennsylvania’s reputation as a state of natural beauty and communal pride.
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