Mayor Michael A. Nutter reported the results of the April 5th, 2008 Philly Spring Cleanup at a press conference at City Hall on April 8th, 2008. Goals that were set prior to the cleanup were met and exceeded, and Keep America Beautiful - the organization responsible for clean-ups across the country - has confirmed that the Philly Spring Cleanup was the largest single day, citywide clean-up on record in the United States of America.
“Even I was taken aback by the scale of what was achieved on Saturday”, said Mayor Nutter. “I am so proud of the thousands of volunteers, the dedicated public servants, the community organizations and corporate sponsors who all worked so hard to make this even such a huge success.”
“With over 17,000 events taking place each spring, Keep America Beautiful’ Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program,” said Matthew McKenna, president and CEO of Keep America Beautiful. “Across all categories, the Philly Spring Cleanup was the largest single-day citywide cleanup event to happen in event’s 24-year history. We’re proud that our local affiliate, Keep Philadelphia Beautiful, was able to help Mayor Nutter in this incredible effort.”
Mayor Nutter emphasized that this would not just be a one-day effort to clean up Philadelphia. He spoke of the ongoing Love Where You Live effort which focuses on prevention and education and changing the attitude of those people who think that it is acceptable to drop trash on the street.
Philly Spring Cleanup Results:
Trash Tonnage:
- 2.56 million pounds of trash (1,280.02 tons)
- 48,010 pounds of recycling
Volunteers:
- Total volunteer involvement estimated around 15,000
Commercial Corridors:
- Estimated 71 Commercial Corridors cleaned
Blocks Cleaned:
- Estimated 5,000 neighborhood blocks cleaned
Recreated Centers:
- 28 Recreation Centers cleaned
Park Sites:
- 27 Fairmount Park sites cleaned
Supplies Used:
- 65,600 biodegradable paper trash bags
- 14,050 biodegradable paper recycling bags
- 17,269 pairs of gloves
- 9,804 brooms
Streets Department Support:
- 522 sanitation workers
- 163 sanitation trucks
- 10 bulk trucks
- 3 flushers
- 11 mechanical brooms
Sponsorship:
- Over $300,000 in cash and in-kind contributions
Other Related Outcomes:
- PPD Removed 186 abandoned automobiles
- 2,302 Tires removed
- More than 177 registered Cleanup sites in neighborhoods across the City
- Over 200 community organizations involved
- 14 churches of faith-based institutions invovled
For more information and to get involved visit phillycleanup.com.
