DEP Invites Schools, Students to Join Fight Against Litter

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Environmental Protection and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful invite all Pennsylvania schools and school districts to join the Pennsylvania Litter-Free School Zone Program. 

"Learning during childhood how to keep schools and neighborhoods clean and litter-free is a lifelong skill and value," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "Participating schools provide an example everyone can follow in making Pennsylvania a more beautiful place to live, work, play and learn."

The program encourages students to keep their campuses and neighborhoods free of litter while boosting public awareness by displaying a Litter-Free School Zone sign outside the school. Participating schools will be eligible for a random drawing for one of two $250 cash prizes from the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association.

The program aims to prevent littering by teaching children about environmental stewardship.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful encourages schools to register their litter pickup or cleanup events with the Great American Cleanup of PA, online at www.gacofpa.org. Participants in the Great American Cleanup of PA are eligible for free supplies, such as bags, gloves and vests. Participating schools are required to report their results to the Great American Cleanup of PA and the Litter-Free School Zone program.

For more information about Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and to register a school and get educational materials, visit www.keeppabeautiful.org or call 877-772-3673.

For more information about DEP's Waste Management program, visit www.dep.state.pa.us or call 717-783-9258.

Media Contact: Lisa Kasianowitz, 717-787-1323

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection