PennDOT, DEP Seek Volunteers for Statewide Spring Cleanup, Beautification Effort

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are seeking volunteers for this year’s Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania that began March 1 and runs through May 31.

(Photo courtesy PennDOT)

Groups participating in PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) program, which involves volunteers cleaning roadsides year-round, are also encouraged to participate in the cleanup.

The cleanup is sponsored each year by PennDOT, DEP, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, and other partners.

“PennDOT is grateful for the thousands of volunteers who work with us to keep our roadways litter-free,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “We stand in full support of those who share our desire to keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.”

“The volunteers who make the commonwealth cleaner and greener benefit all Pennsylvanians in many ways,” DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell said. “Getting trash off streets makes communities more inviting, can bring recycling revenue to municipalities, and reduces stormwater runoff pollution. I thank the many volunteers statewide, and look forward to participating in a cleanup event again this year.”

Gloves, trash bags, and safety vests for the cleanup campaign will be provided by PennDOT, DEP, and the GLAD Products Company, a national sponsor.

In addition, during “Pick It Up, PA Days,” April 7–30, registered cleanup events have access to reduced or free disposal at participating landfills, through support from DEP and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association.

During last year’s cleanup, 132,695 volunteers collected over 5.3 million pounds of litter from Pennsylvania’s roads, trails. and shorelines. Over 7,200 events were held, with every county participating.

PennDOT’s AAH program contributed 20,404 volunteers who cleaned up nearly 16 percent of the collected litter on 10,576 miles of cleaned-up roadway.

Through PennDOT’s AAH program, volunteers collect litter on a 2-mile section of state highway at least two times a year. The program currently has over 4,900 participating groups, more than 85,920 volunteers, and 10,612 miles of adopted state-maintained roadways.

PennDOT has created a comprehensive webpage that includes all volunteer opportunities available, from the Great American Cleanup of Pa and Adopt-A-Highway to Safety Training, Litter Brigades and more. Find it at www.penndot.gov.

For their extensive partnership on the 2017 Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, DEP and PennDOT were awarded the State Agency Partner Award by Keep America Beautiful.