Since 1990, the PA CleanWays network has performed over 700 illegal dump cleanups. The red dots on the map indicate a sampling of our notable cleanups. The map will be updated periodically, so please check back often to learn about more notable PA CleanWays cleanups.

If you lay every tire flat on the ground that PA CleanWays has collected, they would span from Pittsburgh to Erie and 40 miles out into Lake Erie!
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For nearly two decades, the PA CleanWays grassroots network has been cleaning dumpsites and littered areas across the state of Pennsylvania. Along with its other programming, such as recycling and special collection events, PA CleanWays and its chapters and affiliates have removed over 9,700 tons of trash and recycled 2,100 tons of scrap metal from Pennsylvania's hillsides, local roads, and streams. PA CleanWays has also collected or removed 337,030 tires and 23,996 appliances. More than 353 segments of local roads, parks/pathways, and waterways have been adopted through the PA CleanWays adoption program. PA CleanWays has organized and planted more than 22,000 trees on public lands through its beautification program. In total, more than 42,000 volunteers have dedicated nearly 177,000 volunteer hours to PA CleanWays programming.

Cleanups vary widely, involving volunteers or equipment, or sometimes both. Volunteer safety is the primary concern at every cleanup. Safe cleanup strategies have been developed to address the potential risks in removing broken glass, rusted metal, furniture, vehicles, construction debris, and tires from steep slopes and waterways. Equipment is used when volunteers' welfare could be at risk and people power alone is not enough.

PA CleanWays works with people that want to clean their communities and natural areas. We work primarily on public lands, from a site along a municipal road to a greenway in a county park to a site in a state forest, park, or game land. On occasion, PA CleanWays does tackle private land sites but only if the owner of the land is a victim of illegal dumping.

Why should you care about dumping? Dumpsites pollute our soil, surface, and groundwater supplies as well as the air we breathe if a site catches on fire. They attract disease spreading rodents and are breeding grounds for mosquitoes that may carry the West Nile Virus. Dumpsites are a potential source of physical injury to people and can be lethal to wildlife. Dumpsites are costly to clean, costs that are often shouldered by taxpayers. As an example, in 2006 the City of Philadelphia spent $1.9 million cleaning up illegal dump sites. PA CleanWays has found that depending on the contents of the dumpsite, it costs between $600 and $1,000 per ton for clean up and removal.


If you are interested in volunteering at a cleanup, please check our calendar of events to see if there is an upcoming cleanup near you. There are other ways you can get involved as well, such as adopting a local roadway, greenway, or other special place you care about, starting a local chapter, or by contributing to our Clean and Green Fund.