Pick Up Pennsylvania Launches 2026 Cleanup Effort in Honor of America’s 250th Anniversary

In 2024, Keep America Beautiful launched the Greatest American Cleanup in honor of America’s 250th birthday, an initiative to clean up and green up communities nationwide by July 4, 2026. As part of this national movement, Pick Up Pennsylvania invites residents across the Commonwealth to help showcase Pennsylvania at its best. With America 250 approaching, every Pick Up Pennsylvania cleanup event becomes an opportunity to honor our shared history, protect our environment, and celebrate the places we call home.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has announced that registration is open for the 2026 Pick Up Pennsylvania, an annual community improvement program. Pick Up Pennsylvania is a year-long initiative, however, events scheduled from March 1 through May 31 receive free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests provided by support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and PennDOT, as supplies last. Events can include litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups, community greening and beautification, special collections and anti-litter education events. Events must be registered at keeppabeautiful.org to receive free cleanup supplies.

As part of this event, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection 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.

Not sure where to start? Visit Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s website to find information on how to organize an event, including mobilizing local volunteers, gaining support from local business, coordinating trash disposal, accessing supplies and more! The supplies and resources button provides contact information for county resources, like Adopt-a-Highway, Recycling Coordinators, Conservation Districts, and PA Department of Environmental Protection’s regional offices. Keep Pennsylvania Beautuiful also provide personalized technical support, by email or phone (724.875.0834 x113), to individuals, municipalities, and organizations interested in organizing an event.

“We encourage residents, businesses, and community groups across the Commonwealth to join this year’s Pick Up Pennsylvania effort and help build a cleaner, greener future for all. Keeping Pennsylvania beautiful is a shared responsibility, and Pick Up Pennsylvania gives every resident the chance to make a meaningful difference in the health and vitality of our communities. It’s not too early to start planning,” said Michelle Dunn, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Pick Up Pennsylvania Coordinator.

In 2025, from March through May, over 53,500 people participated in Pick Up Pennsylvania. Over 3.4 million pounds of trash and recyclables were picked up and over 22,500 trees, flowers and other greens were planted.

Individuals, friends, family and groups large and small can help clean up vacant lots, streets and riverbanks, plant gardens and trees or mulch a local playground. To host an event, 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 724.836.4121 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.