Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (KPB) is encouraging groups and individuals to clean up their favorite shared public spaces through the Pick Up Pennsylvania program to support 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 by the state 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.

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is proud to be the state coordinator for the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup,” says Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator. “Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top five nationwide for trash properly disposed and diverted from entering our waterways and oceans. 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.”

Join an existing cleanup by visiting KPB’s Calendar of Events at keeppabeautiful.org or register your own at www.keeppabeautiful.org/programs/pick-up-pa/.

As an added incentive to get outside and clean up, KPB is sponsoring the 2025 Pennsylvania Resources Council Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter photo contest, Before and After category. One adult and one student winner will be awarded a monetary prize of $500. To qualify, submissions 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 contest at https://prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest/.

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