Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has a program for local residents, organizations, civic groups, and businesses to be part of the solution to litter. Its statewide adoption program is an opportunity for local residents to adopt and care for municipal roads, parks, neighborhood blocks, greenways, waterways, and trails.
The results of a recent statewide study on litter, conducted by the Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, estimated there are 502 million pieces of litter on Pennsylvania roadways, most of them cigarette butts and plastic items. A separate report, "The Cost of Litter and Illegal Dumping in Pennsylvania," supported by the Richard King Mellon Foundation and the participating cities, documented that just nine Pennsylvania cities collectively spent $68 million to prevent and clean up litter. In addition, PennDOT spent over $65 million removing litter and debris from within highway rights of way across the state over a five-year period. Among other things, this litter pollutes the environment and affects quality of life.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful partners with local municipalities to help mitigate the costs associated with cleaning up by encouraging local residents to take ownership of their communities. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful provides a sign recognizing the groups or individuals who have adopted the road or area and seeks the support of the local municipalities to provide the sign post, install the sign, and provide trash disposal options as needed.
The group suggests doing a cleanup either solo or with household family members and encourages adhering to the recommendations for social distancing. All that is needed is a trash bag, gloves, and bright-colored clothing, if cleaning up near a roadway.
The benefits of removing roadside litter are many. It sends a message to travelers that littering and dumping will not be tolerated; removes dangers to people, animals, and maintenance equipment; makes communities more attractive for residents, tourists, and potential newcomers; and increases property values and community pride.
For more information about adopting a municipal road, park, neighborhood block, greenway, waterway, or trail, readers may visit http://www.keeppabeautiful.org and choose "How to Keep It!" or contact Stephanie Larson at slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or 877-772-3673, ext. 104. For information about adopting a state-maintained road, readers may visit http://www.penndot.gov and search for "Adopt-a-Highway."
Leave a Review