Pennsylvanians are invited to register for the 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania litter cleanup initiative. A collaborative effort among the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Pick Up Pennsylvania offers civic-minded volunteers an opportunity to help keep their communities clean and free from litter.
Litter can pollute streams and rivers with microplastics, degrading water quality and harming the fish, birds and wildlife that depend on healthy streams and rivers to thrive. Pick Up PA, an annual volunteer effort to clean up Pennsylvania roads, parks, streams and communities, represents Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to protecting Pennsylvania’s cherished natural resources. Earlier this year the Shapiro administration announced more than $15 million in funding to conserve and protect waterways and watersheds, reclaim abandoned mine sites and plug abandoned wells.
In 2024, more than 77,000 volunteers participated in Pick Up Pennsylvania. Over 3.2 million pounds of litter and trash were picked up, 4.5 million pounds of materials recycled, and more than 14,000 trees, flowers and other greens were planted.
Also in 2024, PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program hosted nearly 23,000 volunteers belonging to 4,600 groups and supported the collection of more than 39,000 bags of trash from Pennsylvania roadways.
“Last fiscal year, PennDOT spent $18 million picking up litter along the 40,000 miles of state-owned roadways. The Shapiro Administration has made protecting the Commonwealth’s environment a key focus, and we’re proud to continue that work,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “The thousands of Pennsylvanians who volunteer their time to keeping litter out of our roads, parks and waterways are a key component to keeping Pennsylvania beautiful, and there is always more work to be done.”
DEP and Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association are sponsoring trash disposal, free of charge or at a reduced rate for registered program participants, at participating landfills from April 1 through April 30, with prior approval. Events scheduled through May 31 are eligible to receive free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests provided by support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and PennDOT, as supplies last.
“Litter is a problem that affects all of us – it pollutes streams, dirties our parks and highways, and is just gross,” said Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “When people see an area with litter, it’s a signal that they can also just toss their trash – so it is important to keep Pennsylvania litter-free. Joining a pickup event, or organizing your own, is a great way to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.”
“We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, local officials, and sponsors who make Pick Up Pennsylvania, the state’s largest community improvement program, possible,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “As we drive along the highways and back roads of Pennsylvania, it’s easy to see the impact of litter. Litter affects our quality of life, the natural environment, and economic development in communities across the state.”
Registered litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups, community greening and beautification, special collections and education events are eligible for free cleanup supplies. To host, register or join an event near you or to inquire about free supplies and trash disposal, visit keeppabeautiful.org, choose “Programs,” then “Pick Up PA” or contact Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator, at 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or [email protected].
“After the long winter, we hope residents are ready to get outside, roll up their sleeves, and pick up the trash left behind as the snow melts,” said Reiter. “Enhancing an area with plants, flowers, or a fresh coat of paint can also help keep it litter-free. Anyone can participate in Pick Up PA by visiting our website.
