~ Free cleanup supplies available for registered cleanups through November 30 ~

(September 3, 2025) Groups and individuals are cleaning up their favorite shared public spaces through Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania program, supporting the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. The International Cleanup is an initiative to keep trash from reaching our waterways and oceans.

From September 1 through November 30, volunteers will be provided trash bags, gloves, and safety vests, provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, and the Ocean Conservancy, as supplies last, when they register a cleanup with Pick Up Pennsylvania. 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.

For over 15 years, Tidings of Peace Christian School in York, PA, has led a powerful tradition of environmental stewardship through its annual Trash-A-Thon, a citywide cleanup initiative that brings together students, families, staff, and local residents. Each year, this grassroots effort removes an average of ten tons of litter from the streets of York, reinforcing the school’s commitment to community service and environmental responsibility.

Once again this fall, the Trash-A-Thon will align with Pick Up Pennsylvania and the International Coastal Cleanup, expanding its impact as part of a statewide and global movement to combat litter and protect waterways.

“Collaborating with local organizations has been crucial to the success of our cleanup efforts. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful plays a vital role by generously providing supplies for our volunteers,” said Tyler Burkholder, Administrator of Tidings of Peace Christian School.

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is proud to be the state coordinator for the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top five nationwide for trash properly disposed and diverted from entering our waterways and oceans. We couldn’t do it without the generosity of dedicated volunteers who roll up their sleeves to pick up trash before it makes it way to our waterways. Organizations, civic groups, schools, individuals, friends, and family can organize a cleanup of their favorite waterway, park, trail or other place they care about. Big or small, all cleanups make a difference,” said Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator.

Join an existing cleanup event by visiting Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Calendar of Events or register your own, large or small, by visiting Pick Up PA.

As an added incentive to get outside and clean up, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is sponsoring the 2025 Pennsylvania Resources Council, Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter photo contest, Before and After category. Participants are eligible for a monetary prize of $500. One adult and one student winner will be awarded. To qualify, submissions in this category must be from a Pick Up Pennsylvania registered and reported event. All Lens on Litter photo contest rules and requirements must be followed. Enter the Lens On Litter here: https://prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest/.

Events must be registered to receive the free supplies and to be eligible for the Lens on Litter – Before and After monetary prize.

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About Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s mission is empowering Pennsylvanians to keep our communities clean and beautiful. Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has worked with hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the state to pick up nearly 162 million pounds of trash from Pennsylvania’s roadways, waterways, greenways, vacant lots, forestlands and other shared community spaces. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s core programming focuses on litter and illegal dump prevention, cleanup, community greening, and proper waste handling and sustainable practices. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful works with many partnering organizations on the state and grassroots level to accomplish our goal of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. To learn more about Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, visit www.keeppabeautiful.org.

Download the press release