The Great Pennsylvania Cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, two days after Earth Day, and area residents are asked to take part in the environmental effort.
Kathleen A. McGinty, Secretary for the Department of Environmental Protection, recently issued a statement on behalf of Governor Edward Rendell, the departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation, and Conservation and Natural Resources, which are all sponsoring the event.
McGinty stated the purpose of the cleanup is to remove litter and trash from the state’s roadways, parks, forests, riverbanks, neighborhoods and open spaces.
The theme for this year’s cleanup has been announced as “Let’s Pick It Up, PA!,” and any business, civic or environmental group is invited to get involved with the cleanup.
The Great PA Cleanup web site is available for those individuals and groups who are interested in registration or more information.
The web address is: http://www.dep.state.pa.us/earthdaycentral/04. Also, a toll-free number is available at 1-888-548-8372.
Sponsors of the event will provide all registered cleanups with gloves, safety vests and trash bags for participants.
PA Cleanways is just one of the organizations sponsoring the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup.
For those interested in volunteering with community litter and dump cleanups throughout the year, contact the Blair County Chapter of PA Cleanways via Dana L. Shoemaker, P.O. Box 272, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648. For more information, individuals may also call 946-0484.
For those interested in recycling opportunities, the Blair County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling offers two recycling locations for area residents. One is located at the Snyder Township Municipal Building on old Route 220, and the other is located at the Tyrone District Justice’s office.
Items accepted at these locations include: aluminum beverage cans, metal food cans, plastic No. 1 and No. 2 bottles, corrugated cardboard, newspapers and telephone books.
The Blair County Yard Waste Compost Facility is also available to area residents, and it is located on Blacksnake Road in Ashville.
Another way residents can keep Pennsylvania beautiful is by reporting illegal dumping or littering. If someone wants to report an incident in Blair County, contact toll-free 1-888-X-LITTER.
For more information on the Blair County Department of Solid Waste and Recycling, contact 949-2566.
