Roads, parks, and trails throughout the Pocono Mountains look much cleaner this week following the fifth annual Pick Up the Poconos Day held on Saturday, September 24.

400 volunteers fanned out across 28 locations and covered over 100 miles of roadway in the four-county region, collecting at least 450 bags of trash. The continued success of this event, organized bi-annually by the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, is credited to the individuals, families, organizations, schools, businesses, and resorts that graciously participate.

The PMVB’s overall Pick Up the Poconos campaign has resulted in at least 25,839 bags of trash being picked up and properly disposed of over the last six years. That campaign includes:

  • Pocono 3C: Unique partnership that employs individuals who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, to clean roads on a weekly basis throughout Monroe County. Since 2019, the program has helped nearly 30 individuals obtain permanent housing, a vehicle, and/or full-time employment. Learn more here.
  • Adopt-A-Highway Litter Removal Service of America, Inc: The PMVB contracts with the company to clean Interstates 80 & 380, Route 33, and highway entrance/exit ramps throughout the year.
  • Pick Up the Poconos: Bi-annual, volunteer-led cleanups held in the spring and fall. The event began in Monroe County in September 2018 and has since expanded into a region-wide effort that includes a second cleanup in April.

“We know keeping the Poconos clean and green takes more than just one or two litter pickups a year. That’s why we have invested significant funding, time, and resources into a variety of efforts,” said Chris Barrett, President/CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “There are many dedicated individuals, groups, organizations, and associations that pick litter regularly. We want to be an advocate and supporter of those efforts as well.”

Because keeping the Poconos clean and green takes more than just one or two litter pickups a year, we have invested significant resources and funding into a variety of efforts,” said Chris Barrett, President/CEO of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. “There are many dedicated individuals, groups, and organizations that pick litter regularly. We want to be an advocate and supporter of those efforts as well.”

Pick Up the Poconos is supported by key partners including Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Leave No Trace, Monroe County Municipal Waste Management Authority, PennDOT, Waste Management, and the participating boroughs/townships.

The PMVB will hold its next cleanup on Saturday, April 22, 2023, with an Earth Day celebration to follow at Pocono Organics. Registration will open closer to the date on PickUpThePoconos.com.

Download b-roll from past cleanups HERE, Request high-resolution images HERE.

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Pocono Mountains visitor information is available online at PoconoMountains.com or by phone at (570) 421-5791. Follow @PoconoTVNetwork on Twitter to stay current with up-to-date information. Established in 1934, the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is a private, non-profit membership organization. The PMVB is the official destination marketing organization for the four counties of Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Carbon in Northeastern Pennsylvania.