March 09, 2017
The next time you consider tossing a candy wrapper out your window on the highway or at the park, try to remember that there are about 12.8 million people living in Pennsylvania. If everyone did it, we might be turning on our wipers to see the roads ahead of us.
PennDOT is calling on groups of volunteers across the state to participate in the annual Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania, which officially kicked off March 1 and runs through May 31.
The initiative is sponsored each year by PennDOT, the Department of Environmental Protection, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and other organizations.
"PennDOT is proud to join DEP and our other partners in organized efforts to keep Pennsylvania beautiful," said PennDOT secretary Leslie Richards. "Many thanks to the thousands of volunteers who are committed to this very worthwhile endeavor."
Last year's efforts, led by 158,821 volunteers, resulted in the cleanup of 5,290,560 pounds of trash from Pennsylvania's roads, trails and shorelines.
Through their individual and collaborative actions, volunteers are significantly helping to eliminate and prevent pollution to our lands and waters," said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell.
All gloves, trash bags and safety vests are provided by the program's sponsors. To get involved or organize a volunteer event, visit PennDOT's Roadside Beautification website.
