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University City's Litter Co. Cleans Up for Make A Difference Day

Philadelphia, PA (9 October 2002) – On Saturday morning, 26th October, brigades of Litter Co. volunteers will sweep, rake, and clean up blocks from the Schuylkill River to 50th Street to participate in USA Today’s 12th Annual Make A Difference Day.

Launched in April by University City District, Litter Co. is an Anti-Litter Coalition of community leaders, elected officials, kids, parents, students, and workers who have signed the pledge to educate, advocate, and practice keeping University City litter-free. Last year, UCD public space maintenance crews picked up over 1 million pounds of litter at a cost of over 1.25 million dollars.

On October 26th from 9am to 1pm, Litter Co. will provide free trash bags, work gloves, removal of the trash collected, and refreshments for the groups and individuals volunteering. And the Litterbug® will visit school clean up sites. (See below for Litterbug information.) Litter Co. will enter the day’s litter "catch" in the Pennsylvania Resources Council’s Clean Community Awards Program.

The first Litter Co. clean up took place April 20th for Earth Day. More than 350 volunteers removed 3.5 tons of paper and cans, furniture, and construction debris from more than 40 blocks. Over the summer, UCD public space staff collected 1200-plus discarded tires as part of the Philadelphia Streets Department’s Tire Round-Up program.

In addition to community involvement through cleanups, the Litter Co. campaign involves advertising, outreach to schools, and web resources.

  • Ads: The Litter Co. outdoor "Trash Blows" campaign began in September with bold color poster ads installed at transit stops.
  • Web: At www.litterco.org, watch a discarded food wrapper unfurl across the screen with details about University City trash collection and recycling, litter trivia, cleanups, contests, and other events.
  • Youth: For high school students this fall, there is an Anti-Litter Rap Contest featuring Supreem da Regulata, and Litter Co. provided fun and informative book covers for all University City elementary schools to start the academic year.
  • Renters: Partnering with UCD’s Landlord Network, Litter Co. will distribute trash and recycling day information with an anti-litter pledge to tenants.
  • And more Community Clean Ups: Sat. Dec. 7th Leaves ‘n’ Litter, March 8th, 2003 Spring Clean Up, and April 19th, 2003 Earth Day Clean Up.
Since the last national effort 30 years ago to eliminate the littering habit, individual wrapping and packaging of items, direct mail, and retail consumption has increased significantly. Today’s kids and their young parents missed the public service ads featuring Iron Eyes Cody paddling through garbage-filled water. The Litter Co. campaign is a multi-year effort to turn that tide, beginning with signing the giant Litter Co. pledge banner to "Kick Litter In the Can!"
"It’s not just about aesthetics," said UCD executive director Eric T. Goldstein. "Litter is ugly, but the reason to get involved is that streets, sidewalks, and parks are public spaces. Through Litter Co., the UCD hopes to empower our community to aim higher and care better for the places we all share."

Make A Difference Day is a national day of helping created by USA WEEKEND Magazine and takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. The Litter Co. clean up is one of only three MDD projects in Philadelphia.

University City District builds effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan, and advocate for University City's diverse urban community. The UCD's programs to improve streetscapes and parks, remove trash and graffiti, provide technical assistance to home- and business owners, increase public safety, and publicize University City's advantages have improved the quality of life since 1997. For information, visit www.UCityphila.org.

The Litterbug®
Created for the Pennsylvania Resources Council in 1952, the Litterbug® was later licensed to Keep America Beautiful. "The Litterbug mascot does not speak," states the mascot use guidelines. "It is NOT friendly and does NOT hug people. It drops litter and people near it need to remind it not to litter by carrying Don't Be A Litterbug signs ..."


Release Date: Wednesday, October 9th 2002