(March 16, 2023) Residents all across Pennsylvania are gearing up to participate in Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania program, a statewide community improvement initiative. This year, students participating in Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s inaugural Young Ambassadors Program will be participating, too. Thirty-five students in grades 10 through 12, will coordinate and implement one education program and one community cleanup as part of their journey to becoming community stewards, civic leaders and ambassadors in their community for a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania.

One such event is an educational “Park Walk” coordinated by Young Ambassador, CJ Chen. CJ, a Junior from Swarthmore, Delaware County, will celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by leading a walk throughout Little Crum Creek Park while discussing aquatic macroinvertebrates and water quality. In addition, Shelia Magee, Friends of Little Crum Creek Park Board Member, will talk about invasive species. The walk is open to all residents who want to learn about their local environment.

Education events, litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups and community greening and beautification all qualify as community improvement events under the Pick Up Pennsylvania program. Events registered through May 31 are eligible to receive free bags, gloves and vests, provided by support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT, Ocean Conservancy and Keep America Beautiful, as supplies last.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association are sponsoring trash disposal, free of charge or at a reduced rate for registered program participants, at participating landfills from April 1 through April 30, with prior approval.

“We’re so proud of our class of Young Ambassadors and their passion and initiative to work for a better community. Most people don’t think that small actions like hosting a litter cleanup, planting a tree, painting park benches and educating the community about the consequences of littering make an impact, but they really do. Thanks to the selfless dedication of thousands of individuals, our shared public spaces will be safer, cleaner and more beautiful. Everyone can make a difference in their neighborhood. You can start small by grabbing a bag each time you go for a walk. Register on our website for free supplies,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.

In 2022, 65,988 Pennsylvanians picked up 3.4 million pounds of trash and 45,412 tires from neighborhoods, streams, roadways, parks and trails.

Individuals, friends, families and groups large and small can help clean up vacant lots, streets and riverbanks, plant gardens and trees, mulch a local playground or host an education event. To host an event, join an event near you or to inquire about free supplies and trash disposal, visit keeppabeautiful.org/programs/pick up pa/, then Pick Up PA or contact Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator, at 724-836-4121 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.

For more information about the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Young Ambassador Program, visit https://www.keeppabeautiful.org/programs/education/young-ambassadors-of-pennsylvania/.

Current 2023 Pick Up Pennsylvania supporters include: The GIANT Company, Wawa, Columbia Gas – NiSource Charitable Foundation, Mahantango Enterprises, Inc., PA Food Merchants Association and Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania. If you are interested in becoming a supporter contact Deb Woolley at dwoolley@keepppabeautiful.org.

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About Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s vision is a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has worked with hundreds of thousands of volunteers across the state to pick up nearly 152 million pounds of trash from Pennsylvania’s roadways, waterways, greenways, vacant lots, forestlands and other 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.

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