Millions participate in the Great American Cleanup 2010

Throughout the months of March, April and May, an anticipated 1,200 Keep America Beautiful (KAB) affiliates and participating organizations nationwide will rally an estimated 3,000,000 volunteers to hold litter and debris cleanups on public lands and waterways, host recycling drives, spruce up community amenities like parks and playgrounds, remove graffiti, plant trees and community gardens, and host many more activities designed to improve the environment.

The 2010 theme, “Green Starts Here,” is a rallying call that encourages volunteers, community leaders and people of all ages to begin creating more sustainable communities through their efforts as volunteers, and through their daily choices and actions. It also reflects Keep America Beautiful’s long legacy of community improvement activities.

Organizers hope that each participating organization will proudly declare “Green Starts Here,” in their own towns and cities, through their own residents, and with their own volunteer opportunities that address the unique needs of the local community.

In 2009, more than 3 million volunteers in 32,000 communities took part in the Great American Cleanup, collecting 64 million pounds of litter and debris, much of which was recycled. More than 243 million plastic bottles and 6.9 million pounds of electronics were collected, volunteers kept 14.5 million pounds of aluminum and steel out of landfills and 36 million pounds of newspaper were collected for recycling as well. Volunteers also greened-up their communities by creating or improving 6,400 gardens, xeriscapes and green spaces.

The National Sponsors of the 2010 Great American Cleanup are: The Dow Chemical Company; The Glad Products Company; Nestle® Pure Life® Purified Water; o.b.® tampons; Pepsi-Cola Company; The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company; Solo Cup Company; Troy-Bilt® Lawn and Garden Equipment; Waste Management, Inc.; Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.; Promotional Partners: Crescent Art and Framing Products and Get Green Racing; and Educational Partner: Rubber Manufacturers Association.