(October 12, 2025) Support the International Coastal Cleanup and help stop litter from reaching our waterways. Free cleanup supplies available for registered cleanups through November 30—don’t miss out!

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. Through November 30, volunteers will be provided trash bags, gloves, and safety vests, 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.

Organizations, civic groups, schools, individuals, friends, and family can organize a cleanup of their favorite waterway, park, trail or other place they care about.

“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 volunteer participation and trash collection. 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. Big or small, all cleanups make a difference. As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, consider giving back to the places you love by organizing a cleanup with family and friends. It’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors together and make a positive impact,” said Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator.

Events must be registered with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to receive supplies. You can join an existing cleanup event by visiting Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Calendar of Events at keeppabeautiful.org, or register your own by visiting keeppabeautiful.org, Programs, Pick Up PA.

Listed below are just a few of the Pick Up Pennsylvania events scheduled in support of the International Coastal Cleanup. If you would like to join an event, please contact the coordinator to confirm participation.

• Borough of Jefferson Hills Cleanup day – Saturday, November 15, 9:00AM – 12:00PM. Borough Wide — roadways will be assigned by number of volunteers Contact Mike Volpe at mvolpe@jeffersonhills.net or 412-384-0097.
• Keep Royal Gardens Beautiful Fall For Your Park – Saturday, November 15, 9:00AM – 12:00PM, Royal Gardens in Morris Park 926 N 68th Street Philadelphia Pennsylvania 19151. Contact Nicole Chandler at keeproyalgardensbeautiful@gmail.com or 215-768-9419.
• Kiskiminetas Watershed Association Leechburg Road Adopt a Highway Litter Cleanup – Saturday, November 15 9:00AM – 1:00PM, PA Rt 66 from North Vandergrift to Kiskimere. Clean up starts at Riverview at Cat Crusaders Animal Clinic. Contact John Linkes at jplinkes@comcast.net or 724-845-9420.
• Uwchlan Township Fall Cleanup Event – Saturday, November 15 8:30AM – 10:30AM, Uwchlan EAC, 715 North Ship Road Exton, PA. Contact Jim Warihay at jim.warihay@gmail.com or 484-872-8076.

Free trash bags, gloves and safety vests are provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, PennDOT and the Ocean Conservancy, as supplies last. Events must be registered to receive the free supplies.

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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.