Click
a question to view the answer:
- 2.
EDUCATIONAL TOOLS AND PRESENTATIONS
- 3.
GETTING INVOLVED AND VOLUNTEERING
- 4.
DEALING WITH LITTER AND ILLEGAL DUMPING
- 5.
ORGANIZING A PA CLEANWAYS CHAPTER OR AFFILIATE
- 6.
RECYCLING AND CLEANING UP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
1.
ABOUT PA CLEANWAYS
-
1.1
How does PA CleanWays work?
PA
CleanWays is a nonprofit organization that helps people
who are ready to take action against illegal dumping
and littering in their communities. Our core programs
revolve around cleanups,
education, adoptions,
beautification, and
proper disposal. We
work in partnership with local volunteers and communities
because our experience shows that local involvement
and support is a key to lasting success in addressing
illegal dumping and littering.
[back
to top]
-
1.2
How has PA CleanWays' work benefited Pennsylvania?
Since
1990, PA CleanWays has improved Pennsylvania's landscape
by cleaning up mountains of trash from our lands and
waters with the help of many partners and thousands
of volunteers.
A few examples of the successes we've had to date:
- We
have organized over 725 illegal dump cleanups.
- We
have properly disposed of over 9,500 tons of trash from
illegal dump cleanups.
- We
have properly disposed of over 337,000 tires.
- We
have recycled nearly 2,081 tons of scrap metal.
Our
comprehensive approach extends beyond cleanups to long-term
solutions. We restore cleaned areas to natural beauty
through our beautification
program. We have unique educational
programs that inform both young and old about
the issues of illegal littering and dumping. Our adoption
program helps people become active stewards of
our land and waters. We also actively work to support
initiatives that promote proper
waste management, recycling, and a trash-free
environment.
PA
CleanWays is a strong voice for a cleaner Pennsylvania!
2.
EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL TOOLS
[back
to top]
- 2.2
Does PA CleanWays have a scholarship program?
Yes, PA CleanWays is proud to sponsor the Sue
Wiseman Scholarship program. The $1,000 scholarship
is open to Pennsylvania residents ages 16-21 who have
demonstrated outstanding commitment and dedication to
the environment and who have initiated and carried out
a project(s) that addresses littering, illegal dumping,
recycling, proper disposal, beautification, or education.
The scholarship is named for Sue Wiseman, whose commitment
and dedication to a cleaner environment led to the founding
of PA CleanWays.
[back
to top]
- 2.3
Can PA CleanWays provide a speaker for my group or a display
for my event?
If there is a PA CleanWays
chapter or affiliate in your area, please contact
them directly for information. They may be able to provide
a speaker to your group or arrange a display of their
Litter IQ or Recycling IQ boards. Please be aware that
many of our chapters and affiliates have part-time and/or
volunteer staff. It's important to make requests well
in advance and to recognize that they may not be able
to fulfill all requests. If your event has a statewide
audience, please direct your request to the home office
of PA CleanWays in Greensburg, PA, by e-mailing info@pacleanways.org.
[back
to top]
- 2.4
Would I be permitted to use your designs or adapt your
educational materials for my own publication?
All PA CleanWays literature and logos are protected by
copyright laws that prohibit duplication of any materials.
Please contact the PA CleanWays
home office if you are interested in exploring
potential marketing or partnership opportunities.
[back
to top]
- 2.5
Do you sponsor any competitions or contests for kids?
Visit the PA
CleanWays Kids website for information about our
annual award program for kids - the Litter
Hawk Youth Recognition Program.
[back
to top]
3.
Getting Involved and Volunteering
- 3.1
How do I join PA CleanWays?
Visit the Get Involved!
section of our website and Join
the PA CleanWays Network. By becoming a member
of our organization, you will be partnering with PA CleanWays
to eliminate illegal dumping and littering in Pennsylvania.
Together, we can accomplish so much more!
[back
to top]
- 3.2
Where can I get more information about volunteering for
PA CleanWays?
PA CleanWays is always looking for volunteers! If you
want to make a difference in Pennsylvania's environment,
we want to work with you. Check out our Volunteer
Opportunities page for more information, check
out our Calendar of Events
for the latest information on volunteer events, or contact
us for volunteer opportunities available in your
area.
[back
to top]
- 3.3
Does PA CleanWays have any volunteer opportunities for
kids?
We encourage kids of all ages to contribute to a clean
environment through their communities and schools…and
through PA CleanWays. Visit our Volunteer
Opportunities page or the PA
CleanWays Kids website to discover ways kids can
be involved.
Please note: kids can participate in some of our adoption
and cleanup activities. There are restrictions on youth
participation in some of our activities for safety reasons.
Generally speaking, we recommend a minimum age of 12.
Kids also need a parent's or guardian's consent to participate.
[back
to top]
- 3.4
How can I donate money or supplies to PA CleanWays?
Financial contributions and/or donations of supplies or
services are always appreciated and acknowledged. It can
cost as much as $1,000 to clean up a ton of illegally
dumped trash. PA CleanWays is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit
and donations are tax deductible.
There are a number of ways that you can support the work
of PA CleanWays:
- 3.5
How can I find out about upcoming PA CleanWays events?
Visit our online Calendar of
Events which lists upcoming events and volunteer
opportunities for all PA CleanWays chapters, affiliates,
and projects throughout Pennsylvania.
[back
to top]
- 3.6
How can I be added to the PA CleanWays "Cleaner Ways"
newsletter mailing list or how can I update my contact
information with PA CleanWays?
To update your contact information, please send an e-mail
with the specifics of your "new" and "old"
contact information to info@pacleanways.org.
Our Cleaner Ways newsletter is available for viewing
on our website (Adobe Acrobat format). The latest edition
as well as past editions may be found on our Publications
page. You may also sign up to be notified via e-mail when
each latest newsletter is made available online. Click
here to sign up for automatic e-mail notifications
(you will receive approximately two e-mails per year).
If you'd prefer to receive a printed copy of Cleaner
Ways, please send an e-mail to info@pacleanways.org.
In the e-mail, please state that you would like to be
added to the Cleaner Ways mailing list and include
your name, mailing address, county, and phone number.
[back
to top]
4.
Dealing with Litter and Illegal Dumping
-
4.1
Is PA CleanWays involved with the enforcement of laws
against littering and illegal dumping?
PA CleanWays is not an enforcement agency. However,
we support the enforcement of all laws against illegal
dumping and littering. Our resource publication, Working
Together to Fight Littering & Illegal Dumping: a
guide to working with enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania,
provides lots of helpful information about these laws
and the agencies that enforce them. (Click
here to download this book now!)
Additionally, we have a helpful resource publication
entitled Tools for Change, which contains
all the information that you need to tackle a trash
problem in your own community. (Click
here to download this book now!)
Visit
our Educational Materials
section for information on how to order printed copies
of these publications.
[back
to top]
-
4.2
I saw someone litter from his or her car window. How
do I report this?
If you witness someone littering or dumping, get details
and descriptions, and turn them in to the appropriate
enforcement agency as soon as possible. NEVER approach
someone who you think is littering or dumping! Make
a note of the date/time, license number with the make
and model of the car, and type of litter thrown out
- this information will be helpful to the enforcement
agency. The owner of the vehicle is responsible for
the trash dropped. Visit our Report
Litter and Dumping section for more detailed
information.
[back
to top]
- 4.3
I want to organize a cleanup - can you help?
Your local PA CleanWays chapter or affiliate can help
you get started on a cleanup and other ways of reducing
dumping and littering in your community. Click
here to find out if there's a local chapter or affiliate
in your area.
If
you don't have a local chapter or affiliate yet, we can
provide informational resources to help you in organizing
your own cleanup. PA CleanWays offers three resource
publications that can be helpful in organizing a cleanup
on your own and in working with enforcement agencies:
-
Cleaning Up Your Neighborhood and Keeping It Clean!
This 24-page booklet is a comprehensive guide to organizing
a cleanup and is based on the experience of PA CleanWays'
volunteers and staff who have successfully tackled
large cleanups in their communities and beyond. Click
here to download this booklet now (Adobe Acrobat
format) or visit our Educational
Materials section for information on how to
order a printed copy.
-
Working Together to Fight Littering & Illegal
Dumping: A guide to Working With Enforcement Agencies
in Pennsylvania
This
18-page booklet gives information on working with
local and enforcement agencies to fight littering
and illegal dumping. Click
here to download this booklet now (Adobe Acrobat
format) or visit our Educational
Materials section for information on how to
order a printed copy.
- Tools
for Change
This publication is an easy-to-use guidebook developed
to educate people who want to make a change in communities
including everything from understanding the issues
to working with local government. It includes information
on how to begin a change process, navigate local government,
and organize and run a meeting, as well as tips for
volunteer recruitment and useful contact information
for dozens of non-profit, state, and national organizations.
Click
here to download this booklet now (Adobe Acrobat
format) or visit our Educational
Materials section for information on how to
order a printed copy.
[back
to top]
- 4.4
I found an illegal dumpsite. Who should I report it to?
What can I do about it?
If you find a dump, you should report the location to
an enforcement agency as soon as possible. In addition
to reporting the dump to an enforcement agency, PA CleanWays
has an online Report
Litter and Dumping Form that you can complete
to let us know it exists. This information is absolutely
critical! Documenting illegal dumpsites in Pennsylvania
is a huge job. But it's a key step to educating people
about the problem of illegal dumping and ultimately in
getting these dumps cleaned up. The reporting form asks
you to include contact information in case we have questions
or need additional information. However, you can rest
assured that this information is not shared with anyone
outside of PA CleanWays.
[back
to top]
- 4.5
Does PA CleanWays clean up local dumpsites?
PA CleanWays is not an organization that comes in and
cleans illegal dumps and litter on its own. We work with
people who want to clean their communities and help them
find the resources needed for the job. After sites are
cleaned, we can work with you to prevent future dumping
through programs like adoptions
and volunteer site monitoring.
Where chapters or affiliates are not yet organized, we
can offer informational resources (such as our publication
Cleaning
Up Your Neighborhood and Keeping It Clean)
that can help you organize your own cleanup.
[back
to top]
5.
Organizing a PA CleanWays Chapter or Affiliate
-
5.1
How can I start a PA CleanWays Chapter in my area?
We welcome your interest! Organizing a chapter is a
commitment that starts with local interest and involvement
and a desire to focus community attention on eliminating
illegal dumping and littering. Chapters need teams of
people willing to provide leadership for the local effort.
For basic information on starting a chapter, read our
"PA
CleanWays: Starting A Chapter" brochure.
For more details and to request an informational packet
about starting a chapter, contact
the PA CleanWays home office.
[back
to top]
6.
Recycling and Cleaning Up Your Neighborhood
-
6.1
Where can I take hard-to-dispose-of items such as paint,
tires, electronics, construction waste, appliances,
scrap metal, Styrofoam peanuts, and batteries?
Your best resource for finding out where to take hard-to-dispose-of
items is likely to be your county recycling coordinator
or your local municipality. Some PA
CleanWays chapters also sponsor (or partner
with other organizations to sponsor) collections for
hard-to-dispose-of-items.
Dates and details for PA CleanWays collection events
are listed on our online Calendar
of Events. If you have questions or would like
more information on programs that address problem disposal
items in your area, contact
a local PA CleanWays chapter or affiliate
or your
county's solid waste/recycling office.
[back
to top]
-
6.2
How can I organize a stream or waterway cleanup? Are
there any differences between waterway cleanups and
typical roadside cleanups?
Streams and waterways can also be cleaned, but they
do have differences from a roadside cleanup. Waterway
cleanups involve more detailed planning and may require
specially trained volunteers. For additional information
about cleanups, visit our Cleanups
page.
Our video, People - A Solution to Waterway Pollution,
provides ten steps to organizing a successful waterway
cleanup. You can view the video free online (Realplayer
format) or order a VHS copy at our Educational
Materials>Videos page.
[back
to top]
-
6.3
Can I adopt a road, community, greenway, or other area
through PA CleanWays?
PA CleanWays Adoption Program is a way for caring individuals
and groups to "adopt" local areas they care
about and help to keep them clean. The Adoption Program
is an option for most locally maintained roadways, greenways,
city blocks, communities,
and other public spaces. It's a proven to be an effective
way to address persistent dumping and littering and
to help keep those areas trash-free.
Everything you need for a successful adoption can be
found in the Adoption
Program section of our website.
[back
to top]
This
page last updated March 20, 2008.
|
