Get your brooms, bags and cleaning supplies ready because the fifth annual Philly Spring Cleanup is on Saturday, April 14 (rain date April 28).
In the last four years, we’ve stashed a mountain of trash and a whole lot more:
— We’ve collected 5.8 million pounds of trash — that’s enough to fill the Eagles’ football field and create a pile 17.4 feet high.
— We’ve had more than 45,000 volunteers participate — enough people to fill Citizens Bank Park to capacity plus standing room.
— We’ve cleaned more than 175 Philadelphia Parks & Recreation areas and dedicated more than 200,000 volunteer hours to clean and beautify our city.
— And last year, we delivered the most projects for a single cleanup with 250-plus project sites.
As important as a one-day citywide cleanup surely is, we’re also deeply committed to using Philly Spring Cleanup as an organizing tool for keeping our city clean year-round.
Residents can join the UnLitter Us movement, the city’s sustained effort to remove and prevent litter. Visit www.philadelphiastreets.com/unlitterus to learn more about UnLitter Us, its many programs and to view a calendar of cleanups. Residents can “Like” UnLitter Us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/unlitterus) or follow the movement on Twitter @UnLitterUs.
But that’s not all. Those looking to stay active can also look to our partners for ideas or opportunities. The Philadelphia More Beautiful Committee schedules its Clean Block events on Saturdays throughout the spring and summer. Visit www.philadelphiastreets.com to find out when a cleanup is coming to your neighborhood.
In honor of the Philly Spring Cleanup’s fifth anniversary, let’s join together in a united effort to make every part of our city a place of pride. Our city has a lot to be proud of, and I know we can do better this year.
My favorite part of the Philly Spring Cleanup is observing civic pride in action. Every year, I have the opportunity to visit and participate in cleanup projects across the city. I see motivated residents taking ownership of their blocks, community centers and neighborhoods and expending a tremendous amount of effort and energy in these projects.
There are many ways that residents and organizations can get involved for this year’s Philly Spring Cleanup. Visit www.phillyspringcleanup.com to find a cleanup near you, register to volunteer or submit your own project.
You can also get involved through SERVE Philadelphia, the City’s initiative to connect residents of all ages to volunteer opportunities. Visit volunteer.phila.gov to find out how you can get involved in community projects throughout Philadelphia.
I look forward to seeing thousands of Philadelphians cleaning their neighborhoods on April 14 at our fifth annual Philly Spring Cleanup. And let’s build great momentum that day and keep the work going to create a more beautiful home for ourselves and a better place for others to visit.
Let’s keep up the sweep up 365 days a year. I hope all Philadelphia residents participate in this milestone event and help make it our biggest and best cleanup yet!
— Mayor Michael A. Nutter