The Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Transportation (PennDOT) are rallying troops for a spring clean-up blitz, with the annual "Pick Up Pennsylvania" campaign now underway through May 31, as reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Any Pennsylvanian with a hankering for tidiness and community service can jump into the trash-fighting trenches by joining events varying from litter pickups to beautification projects free cleanup supplies are up for grabs including trash bags, gloves, and safety vests courtesy of DEP, PennDOT, and Keep America Beautiful, supplies last, and to snag these goodies, participants must register over at keeppabeautiful.org. In April alone, events registered through the website benefit from sponsored, discounted trash disposal at select landfills, thanks to DEP and the Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association.

"Litter impacts our quality of life, the natural environment, and economic development in communities all across Pennsylvania. We all need to take responsibility for clean and beautiful neighborhoods." These are the words of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful's President Shannon Reiter, expressing the significance of the annual endeavor in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. She urges even greater participation this year, emphasizing the transformative power of collective, hands-on action.

PennDOT's Secretary Mike Carroll lamented the whopping $14 million spent yearly on cleaning up litter on roadways as a drain on resources better spent on maintenance and upgrades, with Adopt-A-Highway volunteers significantly contributing to keeping the state's roads and waterways pristine these volunteers commit to cleansing a two-mile section of state highway at least twice a year in 2023, there were over 4,400 groups, contributing to a total removal of 32,272 bags of litter.

Jessica Shirley, DEP Interim Acting Secretary, joins in calling for volunteers: "Pennsylvania is a beautiful state. Everyone should be able to enjoy our scenic byways, streams and waterways, and state parks without litter obstructing the view," she noted, advocating for a bolstered community effort to maintain the Commonwealth's charm, as per the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Participation in Pick Up Pennsylvania is a long-standing tradition with over two decades in the running, drawing an eclectic mix of Scout troops, businesses, conservation groups, and casual eco-heroes alike to spruce up their surroundings.